Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $63
- Cash Discount Price: $52
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.75x 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 375% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 275%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $59 | 351% |
| Aetna | $62 | 369% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $62 | 369% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $63 | 375% |
| First Health-All Plans | $66 | 393% |
| Cigna | $66 | 393% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $66 | 393% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test procedure (CPT 84443) at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's cash price of $52.00 is lower than the state average of $59.00 and the median negotiated rate of $63.00. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $62 to $66, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective, as the cash rate is already below the insurer's allowed amount. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details before scheduling to ensure they are not subject to unexpected charges.
To minimize potential billing errors, consumers should request a full itemized bill that lists every specific CPT code and unit cost, rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered, asking for a detailed breakdown before paying is a critical step in protecting your financial interests. Additionally, if you choose to pay out-of-pocket, you should explicitly ask the hospital about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.