Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $40
- Cash Discount Price: $35
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.13x 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 1013% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 913%). 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 | 203% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $40 - $44 | 1013% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $77 | 1949% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 84520, representing a blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN), the facility's cash median rate is $35.00, while the median negotiated rate for in-network payers is $40.00. This specific service is priced at a 10.1% markup above the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, which serves as the federal baseline for evaluating hospital pricing. It is important to note that while the cash price is lower than the negotiated rate, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash option more cost-effective if their insurance allows them to pay the full negotiated amount of $40.00, as the cash price of $35.00 would result in a lower out-of-pocket expense. Additionally, patients should verify with the hospital for potential "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative processing fees.
This service is provided at the Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center in Anthony, Kansas, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government authority. The facility's pricing structure for this test is consistent with the state of Kansas, where the median negotiated rate is $40.00 and the cash median is $35.00. When reviewing your own insurance coverage, it is crucial to understand that being in-network does not guarantee the lowest possible price, as different carriers negotiate varying rates. Furthermore, if you choose to use insurance, be aware that you may be responsible for meeting your deductible before the negotiated rate applies, which could result in higher costs than paying cash directly. To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an item