Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
CPT Code: 84443
Was your bill higher than this?
Enter what you were charged below to instantly see how your bill compares to the Medicare benchmark — and whether it’s worth disputing.
Check My Bill for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) →Understanding the cost of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
What does the Medicare rate mean?
The Medicare rate of $18.74 is the amount the federal government pays providers for CPT 84443under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. It’s the most widely published benchmark for what a procedure "should" cost and is used as a reference point by commercial insurers when negotiating their own rates.
What do commercial insurers pay?
Commercial insurers (Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealth, etc.) negotiate rates independently with each provider network. As a rule of thumb, these rates fall in the $22.49 – $37.48 range for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) — roughly 1.2 to 2 times Medicare. If you were billed significantly more, the excess may be negotiable.
What if I was billed more than the commercial range?
Bills above the typical commercial range are common, especially for uninsured or out-of-network patients who receive chargemaster (list) prices. You have several options:
- Ask for the Medicare rate or self-pay discount — many providers will accept this immediately.
- Request an itemized bill — billing errors are common and can account for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Appeal if you have insurance — if the procedure was denied or you were billed out-of-network, you have the right to appeal.
- Ask about financial assistance — nonprofit hospitals are required by law to offer charity care programs.
How lab charges like this are billed
Lab charges are small individually but multiply quickly, and they are billed by whoever runs the test — which may be a reference lab you never saw, not the office that drew your blood. The two recurring cost problems are panels billed as separate components (unbundling) and large markups when a test is sent to an out-of-network reference lab.
Common billing problems with lab charges
Unbundled panels
Common panels (a metabolic panel, a lipid panel, a CBC) have a single bundled code. When the individual component tests are billed separately, the total often exceeds the bundled panel price. Compare your line items against the standard panel definition.
Out-of-network reference lab
Your in-network doctor can send your sample to an out-of-network lab. Ask which lab processed the test and whether an in-network option was available — this is a frequent source of surprise lab bills.
Duplicate draws or repeated tests
Watch for the same test billed twice on one date, or a venipuncture (draw) fee charged multiple times for a single blood draw.
How to push back on this charge
For unbundling, ask the lab to rebill using the correct panel code. For out-of-network labs, ask both your insurer and the lab whether the claim can be reprocessed at the in-network rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) cost without insurance?
Without insurance, you may be billed the chargemaster (list) rate, which can be 3–10× the Medicare rate. For Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), that could mean a bill of $56.22–$93.70 or more. Always ask for the self-pay or cash-pay rate before accepting the listed price — providers often offer significant discounts.
What is CPT code 84443?
CPT 84443 is the Current Procedural Terminology code assigned to Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). It’s used by providers, insurers, and Medicare to identify and bill for this specific service. You’ll find it on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or itemized bill.
Can I negotiate the cost of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)?
Yes. Negotiating medical bills is common and often successful. Referencing the Medicare rate of $18.74 gives you a credible, federally published benchmark to anchor the conversation. Many providers will accept 1–1.5× Medicare as a cash settlement.