Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $166
- Cash Discount Price: $174
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.88x 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 988% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 888%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $162 | 964% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $162 | 964% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $166 | 988% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $166 | 988% |
| Multiplan- All Plans | $166 | 988% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash price is $174.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $166.00 and the cash median. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, reflecting a markup typical of commercial billing structures where administrative costs and network tiers influence final pricing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash upfront more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare are also set at $166.00, leaving little room for savings through standard insurance processing.
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing insurance claim processing fees. It is important to avoid balance billing, as the No Surprises Act prohibits providers from charging the difference between the allowed amount and the full chargemaster for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. If you receive a surprise bill, do not pay immediately; instead, request a formal itemized audit to identify errors or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through written dispute with the billing supervisor.