Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $77
- Cash Discount Price: $105
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $29 - $77 | 173% |
| Humana | $29 - $77 | 173% |
| Medicare (plans) | $29 - $77 | 173% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $31 | 185% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $32 - $84 | 190% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $52 - $138 | 310% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $55 - $146 | 327% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $55 - $146 | 327% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $80 - $215 | 476% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test procedure (CPT 84443) at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Kansas, the cash price is $105.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $77.00 when adjusted for specific plan dynamics. While the facility's cash rate is significantly higher than the state average of $57.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for major payers like Tricare, Humana, and Medicare range between $29.00 and $77.00, often exceeding the cash price. It is important to note that commercial payers such as Coventry and Health Partners of Kansas have negotiated rates as high as $146.00, which can be substantially more than the cash option.
Patients should be aware that Medicare sets a benchmark rate of $16.80 for this service, indicating that commercial rates are marked up significantly above the federal baseline. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government authority, the lack of a contract with many commercial insurers means that out-of-network patients could face balance billing if they do not verify their status beforehand. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a prompt-pay discount before scheduling, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, and always demand an itemized bill to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included in the final invoice.