Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $39
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.87x 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 987% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 887%). 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 | $8 | 203% |
| Wppa | $37 - $39 | 937% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $39 | 987% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Goodland Regional Medical Center, the cash price of $39.00 is notably lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Wppa ($37–$39) and UnitedHealthcare ($39). This facility, a Critical Access Hospital in Goodland, KS, offers a cash median that aligns with its median negotiated rate of $39.00, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket may be the most cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. While the facility's rating is 2, the transparent pricing structure here allows patients to avoid the administrative overhead and potential markups often associated with commercial billing cycles.
It is important to note that Medicare reimburses for this service at $3.95, which serves as a baseline for evaluating fair pricing; commercial rates are often significantly higher due to administrative costs and contract dynamics. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is still wise to request an itemized bill to verify all charges before payment. Additionally, since this is a local government-owned facility, patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts at registration, as paying upfront can sometimes bypass standard insurance processing fees and secure the lowest possible rate.