Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Hodgeman County Health Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $99
- Cash Discount Price: $113
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.89x 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 589% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 489%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $42 - $44 | 250% |
| Humana | $90 | 536% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $90 - $134 | 536% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $90 - $141 | 536% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $90 | 536% |
| Aetna | $113 | 673% |
| First Health - All Plans | $127 | 756% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $134 | 798% |
| Wppa (Provdrscare) - All Plans | $134 | 798% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore, KS, the facility's cash price of $113.00 is notably lower than the median negotiated rates paid by major insurers, which range from $90 to $141 depending on the plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. It is important to note that while the facility offers a cash rate, patients should verify if their specific insurance plan has a lower allowed amount before scheduling, as some commercial payers may negotiate rates below the cash price.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $16.80, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The cash price of $113.00 represents a significant increase over the Medicare rate, reflecting the facility's operational costs and local wage index adjustments. For consumers, the most effective way to minimize out-of-pocket costs is to request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay rate directly from the billing department before receiving any insurance claim. Patients should also ensure they receive an itemized bill rather than a summary statement to avoid potential errors or unbundled charges, and they should be aware that federal protections like the No Surprises Act may prevent balance billing for out-of-network services provided at this in-network facility.