Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $89
- Cash Discount Price: $54
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 22.53x 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 2253% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 2153%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Health | $4 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4 | 101% |
| Kaiser | $4 | 101% |
| Cigna | $4 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $10 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $108 | 101% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $5 | 127% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $89 | 2253% |
| Wpaa | $95 | 2405% |
| Multiplan | $108 - $122 | 2734% |
| Christian Health Aid | $108 | 2734% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $122 | 3089% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 84520, representing a blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN), the facility's cash median price is $54.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $135.00. While commercial insurance negotiated rates generally range from $4 to $122 depending on the payer, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the $54.00 cash rate may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher allowed amount that the patient must still cover before their deductible is met. It is advisable to verify the specific allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling, as in-network rates vary widely across different carriers.
This facility, Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City, is a proprietary acute care hospital in Dodge City, KS, and offers a cash payment option that bypasses the complex billing cycle associated with insurance claims. Patients should proactively ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, avoiding the administrative costs and potential balance billing that often accompany insurance processing. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, consumers are encouraged to request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring that all charges are accurate and that any services not rendered are removed from the invoice.