Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $140
- Cash Discount Price: $111
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.33x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $16.8 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 833% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 733%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $42 - $230 | 250% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $139 - $238 | 827% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $142 - $207 | 845% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $111.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is notably lower than the state average for this service, offering a potential savings opportunity for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. While the facility's median negotiated rate is $137.00, commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates ranging from $42 to $230, meaning your specific plan's allowed amount could be significantly higher than the cash price. Because insurance billing involves administrative overhead and contract structures that often inflate costs, paying cash upfront can sometimes result in a lower total out-of-pocket expense compared to what your insurer would allow.
To ensure you receive the most favorable rate, it is essential to verify if the hospital offers a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling your visit, as these discounts can further reduce the final bill. If you do receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or a service not covered by your plan, you may be subject to balance billing, where the provider charges the difference between their full list price and your insurance's allowed amount. However, federal protections under the No Surprises Act generally prevent balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, request a full itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected to lower your debt.