Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $24
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.08x 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 608% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 508%). 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 | $24 | 608% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $24 | 608% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $24 | 608% |
| Bluestem Pace | $24 | 608% |
| Humana | $24 | 608% |
| Va Ccn | $24 | 608% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $24 | 608% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, the facility's negotiated rate of $24.00 aligns exactly with the lowest and highest amounts reported across all seven payers, including UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Humana. This consistent pricing suggests a standardized contract structure for this specific service within the region. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should note that cash-pay rates are not listed in this report. However, if you have a high-deductible plan where your insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price, paying out-of-pocket might result in lower out-of-pocket costs. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can significantly reduce the final bill for those choosing to pay without insurance.
When evaluating the cost of this test, it is important to compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross charge. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $3.95, and the facility's negotiated rate is 6.1 times higher than this federal baseline. This markup reflects the administrative costs and network agreements required for commercial insurance, which often exceed the true cost of care. To ensure you are not overpaying, request a full itemized bill from the hospital before paying. This document will show the specific CPT code and unit costs, helping you identify any errors, unbundled charges, or services that were not rendered. If you receive a surprise bill for out-of-network ancillary services, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, and you should dispute the balance immediately rather than accepting the invoice