Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $79
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.70x 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 470% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 370%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn | $79 | 470% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $79 | 470% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $79 | 470% |
| Humana | $79 | 470% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $79 | 470% |
| Bluestem Pace | $79 | 470% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $79 | 470% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $79.00, which aligns exactly with the lowest and highest negotiated rates reported across all seven payers, including UnitedHealthcare and Humana. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, reflecting a markup of 470% above the federal baseline. While commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates prices, the facility's rate remains consistent across all major insurers, suggesting a standardized pricing structure rather than a tiered network discount.
Patients should be aware that while the negotiated rate is fixed at $79.00 for in-network coverage, the cash price is not listed in the current data. However, for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price directly could result in lower total costs if the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. It is recommended to contact the hospital billing department before scheduling to inquire about "self-pay" rates or prompt-pay incentives, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing insurance claims processing fees. Additionally, since this is a Critical Access Hospital, patients should verify that no out-of-network ancillary services are involved to avoid potential balance billing, though the No Surprises Act generally protects against such charges for in-network facility services.