Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $1 - $6 | 25% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4 | 101% |
| Va | $4 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Vc Hope | $4 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $11 | 101% |
| Cigna | $6 | 152% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $7 | 177% |
| Aetna | $12 - $14 | 304% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $16 | 405% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the facility's negotiated rates align closely with the Medicare benchmark, with a median negotiated amount of $4.00 compared to a Medicare rate of $3.95. While cash prices are not listed for this service, patients should note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures; therefore, individuals with high-deductible plans might find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. It is crucial to verify these discounts directly with the hospital before scheduling, as waiting until after an insurance claim is processed may result in the facility submitting a claim that voids any potential cash savings.
This service is covered under 11 different payer plans, including major carriers like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, with allowed amounts ranging from $1 to $14 depending on the specific plan. Because this is a laboratory test, patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency services at in-network facilities, unexpected ancillary charges can sometimes occur if specific components are out-of-network. To avoid surprise costs, patients should request a full itemized bill before paying, ensuring no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, and should dispute any discrepancies in writing rather than accepting summary invoices. Comparing these specific allowed amounts to the broader state or county averages can help identify if the facility is charging above or below typical market rates for this procedure.