CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)

Facility: St Louis Childrens Hospital

Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84520
Insurance Median: $44
Cash Discount Price: $35
vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.14x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) at St Louis Childrens Hospital is $44. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $35. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $3.95, this hospital’s rate is 11.14x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$35

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$44

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: $35 (886%)

Insurance Median: $44 (1114%)

Cash: $35 (886% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $44 (1114% 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 1114% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1014%). 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	$4 - $47	101%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$4 - $50	101%
Cox Health [757]	$4	101%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$4	101%
Humana	$4 - $44	101%
Medica [662]	$4	101%
UnitedHealthcare	$4 - $44	101%
Cigna	$29 - $32	734%
Healthlink [225]	$29 - $45	734%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$32	810%
Consociate [478]	$32	810%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$32	810%
Priority Health [648]	$32	810%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$32	810%
Allied Benefits [498]	$34 - $47	861%
Hope Trust [806]	$34	861%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$38 - $44	962%
Med-Pay [480]	$38 - $44	962%
Unicare [568]	$38 - $45	962%
Health Alliance [224]	$41	1038%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$42 - $47	1063%
Beechstreet [551]	$44	1114%
Detego Health [868]	$44	1114%
First Health Commercial [734]	$44	1114%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$44	1114%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$44	1114%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$44	1114%
Multiplan [240]	$44	1114%
Phcs [244]	$44 - $47	1114%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$45	1139%
Coresource [497]	$47	1190%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$47	1190%
Mail Handlers [495]	$47	1190%
Medica [661]	$47	1190%
Hfn [563]	$50	1266%

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 $35.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84520.

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 84520.
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.