Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $39
- Cash Discount Price: $19
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.87x 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 987% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 887%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Centura Employee Plan | $5 | 127% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $11 | 278% |
| Aetna | $15 - $38 | 380% |
| Humana | $15 | 380% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 - $40 | 380% |
| Medicare (plans) | $15 | 380% |
| Kansas Health | $15 | 380% |
| Multiplan | $43 - $44 | 1089% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $45 | 1139% |
| Wppa | $45 | 1139% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $19.00 is significantly lower than the state average, which sits at $47.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $5 to $45, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $19.00 upfront could result in substantial savings compared to your insurance's allowed amount, especially if your deductible has not yet been met. We recommend contacting the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
It is important to compare these rates against the Medicare benchmark to understand the true cost baseline. The Medicare amount for this service is $3.95, which serves as the objective standard for evaluating pricing markups. The facility's cash rate of $19.00 represents a markup of approximately 9.9% over the Medicare rate, while the median negotiated rate of $39.00 reflects the typical commercial pricing structure. Because Medicare rates are calculated based on actual provider costs and local wage indexes, they provide a scientifically validated reference point that helps identify whether commercial rates are appropriately marked up. Always request an itemized bill to verify that charges align with these benchmarks and to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered have inflated your total.