Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: William Newton Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.54x 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 354% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 254%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $2 - $36 | 51% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $8 - $14 | 203% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $14 - $40 | 354% |
| Triwest- All Plans | $14 | 354% |
| Providrs Care Nexus | $24 | 608% |
| Providrs Care - All Other Plans | $28 | 709% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS, the cash median price is $40.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the Medicare benchmark of $3.95. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the data shows that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $8 to $40 depending on the payer, with UnitedHealthcare plans paying as low as $2 and Ambetter/Centene plans paying up to $40. Because the cash price aligns with the highest negotiated rates found in this dataset, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket at the cash rate of $40.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher allowed amounts due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics.
To ensure you receive the best possible price, it is important to verify your specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly by carrier. If you choose to pay directly, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the $40.00 cash price by 20% to 50% if paid upfront within 30 days. Additionally, since the facility is in-network, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services, but you should still request a full itemized bill to review every line item and avoid unexpected charges. Always compare the final allowed amount to the Medicare benchmark of $3.95 to understand the true cost structure, as commercial rates often reflect a markup that exceeds the federal baseline.