Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Wilson Medical Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $44
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.62x 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 262% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 162%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 - $88 | 30% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $5 - $95 | 30% |
| Aetna | $5 - $95 | 30% |
| Tricare | $5 - $50 | 30% |
| Humana | $5 - $50 | 30% |
| Cigna | $8 - $76 | 48% |
| Mulitplan-All Plans | $9 - $87 | 54% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $9 - $87 | 54% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 - $95 | 60% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test procedure (CPT 84443) at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $39.00 is lower than the state average, making it a potentially cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those paying out-of-pocket. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $5.00 to $95.00, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the cash rate upfront can sometimes result in immediate savings compared to the higher negotiated amounts billed by insurance. Additionally, because the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients are encouraged to explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts at registration, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing the standard insurance billing cycle.
It is important to understand that the Medicare amount of $16.80 serves as the objective baseline for pricing, and the facility's cash rate is significantly higher than this federal benchmark, reflecting local cost factors. Although the data does not provide a specific county average for comparison, the cash rate remains competitive relative to the state. Consumers should be aware of balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act, which prevent unexpected bills for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, and should never sign away these rights via consent waivers. If a patient receives an itemized bill, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital