Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $23
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.82x 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 582% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 482%). 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 - $23 | 203% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $23 - $64 | 582% |
| Medicare (plans) | $23 | 582% |
| Humana | $23 | 582% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $23 | 582% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $23 | 582% |
| Aetna | $23 - $117 | 582% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $62 | 1570% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $64 | 1620% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $40.00, which is significantly higher than the state average of $23.00. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $8 to $117 depending on the specific plan, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, making self-pay a potentially more affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans. Because the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the Government - Hospital District or Authority, it is important to verify the exact allowed amount with the hospital before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary widely even within the same provider network.
Patients should be aware that the facility's negotiated rate of $23.00 aligns with the state median, but the Medicare benchmark of $3.95 reveals a substantial markup typical of commercial billing structures. To minimize costs, individuals should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, which can bypass administrative fees and reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. If a balance bill arises from out-of-network ancillary services, the No Surprises Act may provide protection against unexpected charges, so patients are encouraged to review their itemized bills carefully and dispute any errors in writing rather than accepting summary invoices.