CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, thyroid (TSH)

Facility: St Louis Childrens Hospital

Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84443
Insurance Median: $206
Cash Discount Price: $167
vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.26x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, thyroid (TSH) at St Louis Childrens Hospital is $206. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $167. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $16.8, this hospital’s rate is 12.26x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$167

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$206

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: $167 (994%)

Insurance Median: $206 (1226%)

Cash: $167 (994% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $206 (1226% 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 1226% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1126%). 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
Aetna	$17 - $220	101%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$17	101%
Humana	$17 - $207	101%
UnitedHealthcare	$17 - $207	101%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$18 - $236	107%
Cox Health [757]	$18	107%
Medica [662]	$18	107%
Healthlink [225]	$135 - $210	804%
Cigna	$137 - $151	815%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$151	899%
Consociate [478]	$151	899%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$151	899%
Priority Health [648]	$151	899%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$151	899%
Allied Benefits [498]	$161 - $220	958%
Hope Trust [806]	$161	958%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$181 - $206	1077%
Med-Pay [480]	$181 - $208	1077%
Unicare [568]	$181 - $210	1077%
Health Alliance [224]	$195	1161%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$198 - $222	1179%
First Health Commercial [734]	$207	1232%
Beechstreet [551]	$208	1238%
Detego Health [868]	$208	1238%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$208	1238%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$208	1238%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$208	1238%
Multiplan [240]	$208	1238%
Phcs [244]	$208 - $222	1238%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$210	1250%
Coresource [497]	$220	1310%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$220	1310%
Mail Handlers [495]	$220	1310%
Medica [661]	$222	1321%
Hfn [563]	$236	1405%

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 $167.
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 St Louis Childrens 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.