Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Greeley County Health Services
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $23
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 | 101% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Greeley County Health Services, the cash price is $23.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $33.00. While the data does not provide a specific county or state average for this procedure, the cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $4.00 for Medicaid/KanCare and Aetna. This illustrates a common billing dynamic where paying out-of-pocket can be more cost-effective than using insurance, especially if your plan has a high deductible or if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
It is important to understand that insurance companies negotiate maximum rates for services, which often results in higher costs for patients than direct cash payment due to administrative overhead and contract structures. In this case, the facility's cash price is significantly lower than the negotiated amounts, suggesting that using insurance for this test may not be the most economical option. Additionally, if you are concerned about balance billing or unexpected charges, you should request a full itemized bill before paying. This allows you to review every line item, such as the specific CPT code 84520, to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included, protecting you from potential errors that can inflate medical debt.