Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $15
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.80x 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 380% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 280%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $8 - $25 | 203% |
| Tricare | $8 - $25 | 203% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $8 | 203% |
| Cigna | $14 - $46 | 354% |
| Coventry Wc | $15 - $51 | 380% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 - $48 | 380% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $15 - $51 | 380% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $15 - $50 | 380% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $15 - $51 | 380% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $15 - $50 | 380% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $15 - $51 | 380% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $15 - $48 | 380% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test code 84520 at Lindsborg Community Hospital, the facility's cash median price of $24.00 is notably higher than the state average of $20.00. While commercial insurance plans negotiate rates ranging from $8 to $51, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket if the insurance allowed amount is above $24.00. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming in-network coverage guarantees the lowest price can lead to higher costs if the contract rate is inflated by administrative fees.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% for upfront payments. Since hospitals incur significant administrative costs processing insurance claims, paying directly can bypass these fees and provide immediate liquidity. Additionally, because over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, consumers should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring no charges for services not rendered or unbundled codes are included. Always confirm your deductible status before using insurance, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible balance may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than paying cash.