CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, thyroid (TSH)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84443
Insurance Median: $60
Cash Discount Price: $59
vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.57x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, thyroid (TSH) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $60. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $59. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $16.8, this hospital’s rate is 3.57x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$59

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$60

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: $59 (351%)

Insurance Median: $60 (357%)

Cash: $59 (351% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $60 (357% 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 357% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 257%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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
UnitedHealthcare	$17 - $73	101%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$20 - $64	119%
Cigna	$24 - $78	143%
Mercy Behavioral Health [573]	$24	143%
Consociate [478]	$32	190%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$32	190%
Aetna	$33 - $74	196%
Allied Benefits [498]	$33 - $73	196%
Coresource [497]	$33	196%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$33	196%
Mail Handlers [495]	$33	196%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$40	238%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$40	238%
Priority Health [648]	$40	238%
Healthlink [225]	$48 - $74	286%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$53 - $85	315%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$54 - $64	321%
Health Alliance [224]	$54	321%
Humana	$56	333%
Hope Trust [806]	$57	339%
Med-Pay [480]	$64 - $74	381%
Unicare [568]	$64 - $74	381%
First Health Commercial [734]	$73	435%
Beechstreet [551]	$74	440%
Detego Health [868]	$74	440%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$74	440%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$74	440%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$74	440%
Multiplan [240]	$74	440%
Phcs [244]	$74 - $78	440%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$74	440%
Medica [661]	$78	464%
Hfn [563]	$83	494%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $59.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84443.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 84443.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.