CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)

Facility: Essentia Health Sandstone

Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 84520
  • Insurance Median: $36
  • Cash Discount Price: $57
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.11x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) at Essentia Health Sandstone is $36. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $57. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $3.95, this hospital’s rate is 9.11x the Medicare baseline. Located in 705 Lundorff Drive South, Sandstone, MN.
Cash / Self-Pay
$57

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$36

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$3.95

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $3.95 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $57 (1443%)
Insurance Median: $36 (911%)
Cash: $57 (1443% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $36 (911% of 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 911% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 811%). 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 $4 - $36 101%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $4 - $62 101%
Freedom Blue Ppo $4 - $36 101%
Healthpartners Care Msho / Mcr Adv $4 - $36 101%
Imcare Msho Pcc Prime $4 - $36 101%
Imcare Msho Ref Req $4 - $36 101%
Itasca Med Care $4 101%
Medica Advantage Solutions $4 - $36 101%
Medica Msho/Dual Solutions $4 - $36 101%
Medica Prime Solution Group $4 - $36 101%
Medicare (plans) $4 - $36 101%
Nd Va Administration $4 - $36 101%
Platinum Blue/Vantage Blue $4 - $36 101%
Primewest $4 101%
Primewest Msho $4 - $36 101%
Secure Blue Msho $4 - $36 101%
Ubh Cost Plan $4 - $36 101%
Ubh Msho $4 - $36 101%
Ucare Msho $4 - $36 101%
UnitedHealthcare $4 - $70 101%
Blue Plus Pmap Pcc Prime $30 - $42 759%
Healthpartners Care Pmap $31 785%
Medica Access $31 - $48 785%
Sanford Healthplan $33 - $35 835%
Ucare $51 1291%
Healthpartners $52 - $61 1316%
Medica $55 - $61 1392%
Medica Uplan $55 1392%
Wea $55 - $59 1392%
America'S Ppo $60 1519%
Cigna $60 - $61 1519%
Healthpartners Pcc Prime $60 - $61 1519%
Medica Choice $63 1595%
Wps $64 - $65 1620%
Aetna $65 1646%
Security Health $77 1949%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 705 Lundorff Drive South, Sandstone, MN 55072
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospitals