Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $20
- Cash Discount Price: $21
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.06x 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 $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 506% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 406%). 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% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $15 - $21 | 380% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $19 | 481% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $20 | 506% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $20 | 506% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $20 | 506% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $20 | 506% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Smith County Memorial Hospital, the cash price of $21.00 is identical to the facility's negotiated rate of $20.00 and the median paid amount, with no variation across the seven payer plans listed. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas, and its pricing aligns closely with the state average, as the cash price matches the $21.00 benchmark provided in the data. Because the negotiated rates for commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare are essentially the same as the cash price, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket immediately to be the most cost-effective option, avoiding potential deductibles or co-pays that could exceed $20.00.
While the facility's rates are competitive and do not show significant markup compared to the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, it is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%. Since the cash price here is already the lowest available rate, patients should still verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as some insurance contracts may have different allowed amounts or deductibles that affect the final out-of-pocket cost. If you are self-paying, ask the hospital directly about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can sometimes offer an additional reduction for upfront payment, though in this specific case, the cash price is already the floor for billing.