CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, thyroid (TSH)

Facility: Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center

Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 84443
  • Insurance Median: $98
  • Cash Discount Price: $106
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.83x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, thyroid (TSH) at Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center is $98. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $106. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $16.8, this hospital’s rate is 5.83x the Medicare baseline. Located in 523 North 3Rd Street, Brainerd, MN.
Cash / Self-Pay
$106

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$98

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$16.8

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $16.8 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $106 (631%)
Insurance Median: $98 (583%)
Cash: $106 (631% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $98 (583% of 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 583% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 483%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Advocare/Security Health $17 101%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $17 - $116 101%
Blue Plus Pmap Pcc Prime $17 - $104 101%
Freedom Blue Ppo $17 101%
Healthpartners Care Msho / Mcr Adv $17 101%
Imcare Msho Pcc Prime $17 101%
Imcare Msho Ref Req $17 101%
Itasca Med Care $17 101%
Medica Advantage Solutions $17 101%
Medica Msho/Dual Solutions $17 101%
Medica Prime Solution Group $17 101%
Medicare (plans) $17 101%
Nd Va Administration $17 101%
Platinum Blue/Vantage Blue $17 101%
Primewest $17 101%
Primewest Msho $17 101%
Secure Blue Msho $17 101%
Ubh Cost Plan $17 101%
Ubh Msho $17 101%
Ucare Msho $17 101%
UnitedHealthcare $17 - $126 101%
Medica Access $47 - $52 280%
Healthpartners Care Pmap $64 - $71 381%
Sanford Health Plan $64 - $74 381%
Medica $95 - $117 565%
Medica Uplan $95 - $105 565%
Ucare $98 - $109 583%
Wea $107 - $127 637%
Medica Choice $108 - $120 643%
Cigna $110 - $121 655%
Healthpartners $110 - $121 655%
Healthpartners Pcc Prime $110 - $121 655%
America'S Ppo $115 - $128 685%
Wps $124 - $139 738%
Aetna $127 - $140 756%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 523 North 3Rd Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • CMS Rating: ★★★☆☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals