Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $77
- Cash Discount Price: $131
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.58x 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 458% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 358%). 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 - $77 | 262% |
| Medicare (plans) | $77 | 458% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $77 | 458% |
| Aetna | $77 - $383 | 458% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $77 - $208 | 458% |
| Humana | $77 | 458% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $77 | 458% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $203 | 1208% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $208 | 1238% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $131.00, which is significantly higher than the state average of $77.00. While Medicare sets a benchmark rate of $16.80 for this service, commercial insurance plans negotiate rates that vary widely; for example, Aetna plans range from $77 to $383, and UnitedHealthcare plans range from $77 to $208. Because the cash price exceeds the median negotiated rate of $77.00, patients with high-deductible plans or those paying out-of-pocket might find it more cost-effective to pay the cash price directly, provided they can secure a prompt-pay discount. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, and patients should explicitly ask about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not billed the full negotiated amount.
When reviewing your final invoice, be aware that hospitals often issue summary bills that obscure individual charges, making it difficult to identify errors or unbundled services. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes, requesting a full itemized CPT-coded statement is the most effective way to verify that all services rendered were charged correctly and that no unnecessary fees were added. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their deductible status before using insurance, as some plans may still require you to pay the negotiated rate if your deductible has not been met. Always compare the facility's rates against