Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Golden Valley Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $17
- Cash Discount Price: $75
- 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 $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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $17 | 101% |
| Home State Health | $17 | 101% |
| Humana | $17 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $17 - $29 | 101% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $20 | 119% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying cash directly, the most important takeaway is that this specific blood test, thyroid (TSH), has a median cash rate of $75. While this appears higher than the $17 median negotiated rate seen by insurance payers, it is worth noting that commercial insurance plans often pay significantly more than the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For individuals with high-deductible plans who may not yet have met their out-of-pocket limits, paying the $75 cash rate could result in immediate savings compared to having the insurance company pay their negotiated portion and then billing the patient for the difference. Patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts at the time of registration, as these upfront fee reductions can lower the final cost.
The pricing context for this service at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri, shows a gross chargemaster rate of $125, which is substantially higher than the cash rate. When compared to the national benchmark, the facility's cash rate of $75 is 446% higher than the Medicare amount of $16.8. This markup reflects the facility's status as a government-owned acute care hospital in Missouri, with a facility rating of 3 out of 5. While the negotiated rates for the five major payers listed range from $17 to $29, these amounts are still nearly four times the Medicare baseline. Consumers should be aware that without a contract, providers may balance bill patients for the difference between the negotiated rate and the amount their insurer pays, though federal protections now limit this for emergency and non-emergency services at in-network facilities.