Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Kingman Healthcare Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $1
- Cash Discount Price: $1
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.06x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Health Partners | $3 | 18% |
| Cigna | $3 | 18% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $3 | 18% |
| Aetna | $3 | 18% |
| Healthy Blue | $16 | 95% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $16 | 95% |
| Triwest | $17 | 101% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Kingman Healthcare Center in Kansas, the cash price is $1.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Health Partners, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare average $1.00, these amounts are still higher than the cash price. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where paying out-of-pocket can be more cost-effective than using insurance, especially for patients with high deductibles or those who have already met their out-of-pocket maximum. Since the cash rate is already at the negotiated level for most insurers, there is no financial advantage to waiting for insurance reimbursement in this specific case; however, patients should always confirm their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not subject to balance billing if the provider were out-of-network.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate for this service is $16.80, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The cash price of $1.00 represents a substantial discount compared to the Medicare rate, aligning with the principle that commercial rates often exceed fair pricing benchmarks. Kingman Healthcare Center is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, and while the data does not provide a specific county or state average for comparison, the low cash price suggests the facility is pricing competitively for self-pay patients. To further reduce costs, patients should inquire directly with the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer additional reductions for upfront payment. Additionally, if a patient receives an itemized bill, they should