Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $554
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 32.98x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 3298% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 3198%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 2083% |
| Providrs Care | $757 | 4506% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $24.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $33.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with UnitedHealthcare and Providrs Care are $350 and $757 respectively, these amounts are likely higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan or no insurance, paying the $24.00 cash rate directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially since the negotiated rates exceed the cash price. Patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost by bypassing the standard insurance billing cycle.
It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the true cost of care, which is better represented by the Medicare benchmark of $16.80 for this service. Comparing the facility's cash rate to the Medicare amount provides a clearer picture of the baseline cost, avoiding the trap of comparing discounts to inflated chargemaster lists. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered, unbundled codes, or items that were cancelled, you should request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary bill. Disputing errors in writing with a certified letter to the billing supervisor is the most effective way to ensure accuracy and prevent unnecessary debt, as over 80% of hospital bills contain some form of error.