Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $15
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.80x 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 $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 380% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 280%). 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.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5 - $6 | 127% |
| Preferred Phsic | $10 - $32 | 253% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $13 - $44 | 329% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $15 - $48 | 380% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $15 - $48 | 380% |
| Aetna | $15 - $48 | 380% |
| Cigna | $15 - $48 | 380% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash price of $24.00 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $35.00 paid by insurance plans. While the facility's cash price is slightly below the state average, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price, so comparing the cash price directly to the Medicare benchmark of $3.95 reveals a significant markup, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare rate.
To maximize savings, patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment and bypass costly insurance billing cycles. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. By comparing the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark and actively seeking prompt-pay options, consumers can ensure they are paying a fair price that aligns with the true cost of care rather than inflated chargemaster lists.