Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Wilson Medical Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.59x 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 $3.95 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 759% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 659%). 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 | $8 - $38 | 203% |
| Humana | $20 | 506% |
| Aetna | $20 - $38 | 506% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $20 - $35 | 506% |
| Tricare | $20 | 506% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $20 - $38 | 506% |
| Cigna | $30 | 759% |
| Mulitplan-All Plans | $35 | 886% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $35 | 886% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, KS, the facility's cash price of $29.00 is lower than the state average of $38.00, though it remains above the national average of $21.00. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $20 to $38, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly. To maximize savings, consumers should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the administrative overhead that typically inflates insurance billing cycles.
It is important to note that Medicare sets the benchmark for this service at $3.95, which is significantly lower than the facility's cash rate or any commercial negotiated rate. This disparity highlights that commercial rates often include administrative markups and network fees not present in the federal baseline. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to request an itemized audit to identify errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, and to dispute any balance billing that violates federal protections under the No Surprises Act. Always verify your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amounts before proceeding, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash outright.