Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $62
- Cash Discount Price: $44
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.69x 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 369% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 269%). 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 | $62 | 369% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Norton County Hospital, the facility's cash median price is $44.00, which is lower than the negotiated rate of $62.00 paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital in Norton, Kansas, the data does not provide specific county or state average prices for comparison. However, the cash price of $44.00 is notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80 when adjusted for the facility's specific pricing context, though typically commercial cash rates exceed Medicare amounts. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $62.00 exceeds the cash option. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, which could further reduce the final amount owed.
Regarding billing transparency, patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like lab tests are billed separately. 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 bills contain inaccuracies. Since the facility is government-owned, standard commercial negotiation dynamics may differ, but patients should still verify that all charges align with the agreed-upon negotiated rate of $62.00 or the cash price of $44.00. Disputing any discrepancies in writing