Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $118
- Cash Discount Price: $118
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.02x 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 702% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 602%). 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 | $44 | 262% |
| Wppa | $111 - $118 | 661% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $118 | 702% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for thyroid function (TSH) at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS, the cash median price is $118.00, which aligns with the median negotiated rate of $118.00 for Wppa and UnitedHealthcare. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure. While the gross charge listed is $131.00, the Medicare benchmark amount for this service is significantly lower at $16.80. When comparing commercial rates to the Medicare baseline, the facility's pricing reflects a markup of 7.0% above the Medicare amount, which is notably lower than the typical commercial range of 200% to 300% of Medicare rates often seen in the industry.
Patients should be aware that while insurance plans often negotiate rates that appear higher than cash prices, paying out-of-pocket can sometimes result in lower costs if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. Since the cash median here matches the negotiated rates, there is no immediate financial advantage to using insurance for this specific service unless your plan covers a portion of the cost after meeting your deductible. It is always advisable to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Additionally, because this is a Critical Access Hospital, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing for out-of-network ancillary services, but you should request an itemized bill to ensure no unexpected charges are included.