Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $169
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.06x 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 1006% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 906%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $16 - $267 | 95% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $44 | 262% |
| Humana | $76 - $118 | 452% |
| Wppa | $109 - $1,200 | 649% |
| Aetna | $164 - $253 | 976% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $44 to $1,200 depending on your specific insurance plan, with UnitedHealthcare offering the lowest range at $16 to $267 across five plans. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $169 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, indicating a markup typical of commercial contracts, it is important to note that cash payments are not listed in this report. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash upfront could potentially be more cost-effective if the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount, as these rates often bypass the administrative overhead and administrative markups embedded in insurance negotiated rates.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates are often inflated by administrative costs and contract dynamics, sometimes reaching 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate, whereas fair pricing is generally considered to be between 120% and 150% of Medicare. In this case, the facility's gross charge of $232 serves as the baseline, but the actual cost to you depends on your plan's allowed amount. If you receive care from an out-of-network provider or encounter services billed at full chargemaster rates, you may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance payment, though the No Surprises Act protects you from such bills for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying and verify that all services rendered are accurately coded