BUN test cost in New Orleans, LA
In New Orleans-Metairie, LA, 13 hospitals list a cash price for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test: from $5.50 to $54.00, with a median of $9.46. The lowest listed price is at Ochsner Clinic Foundation — $3.96 less than the median here. Across Louisiana, the median is $16.80 at 55 hospitals.
Cash prices at 13 facilities across 6 cities for code 84520, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jun 24, 2026 and Jul 1, 2026.
Lowest$5.50Ochsner Clinic Foundation
Median$9.46half pay less
Highest$54.00in this market
Difference9.8×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in New Orleans-Metairie, LA.
median
Lowest $5.50Highest $66.60
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation lowest New Orleans, LA · (504) 842-3000 HC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD-ISTAT | $5.50 | $25.00 | $3.54–$22.50 | 78% | — source file |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation lowest New Orleans, LA · (504) 842-3000 HC UREA NITROGEN, BODY FLUIDS - RL | $5.50 | $25.00 | $3.54–$22.50 | 78% | — source file |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA · (504) 842-3000 HC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD | $6.16 | $28.00 | $3.54–$25.20 | 78% | — source file |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA · (504) 842-3000 *HC DIALYSIS UREA NITROGEN | $6.16 | $28.00 | $3.54–$25.20 | 78% | — source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Kenner, LA · (504) 464-8065 HC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD-ISTAT | $7.00 | $25.00 | $3.56–$22.42 | 72% | — source file |
| St Bernard Parish Hospital Chalmette, LA · (504) 826-9500 HC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD | $7.04 | $22.00 | $1.66–$16.50 | 68% | — source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 POCT Bun | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Arup Bun Serum | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 POCT Bun | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Arup Bun Serum | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 988-5263 Arup Bun Serum | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 988-5263 POCT Bun | $7.42 | $53.00 | $10.60–$9.08 | 86% | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 702-3000 POCT Bun | $9.46 | $43.00 | $10.19–$8.89 | 78% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 702-3000 Bun Serum | $9.46 | $43.00 | $10.19–$8.89 | 78% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 702-3000 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $9.46 | $43.00 | $10.19–$8.89 | 78% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 702-3000 Arup Bun Serum | $9.46 | $43.00 | $10.19–$8.89 | 78% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 702-3000 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $9.46 | $43.00 | $10.19–$8.89 | 78% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 POC BUN | $14.40 | $24.00 | $4.32–$24.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 BLOOD UREA NITROGEN | $15.00 | $25.00 | $4.50–$25.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Kenner, LA · (504) 464-8065 *HC POC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD | $15.68 | $56.00 | $3.56–$48.10 | 72% | — source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Kenner, LA · (504) 464-8065 HC UREA NITROGEN, BLOOD | $15.68 | $56.00 | $3.56–$48.10 | 72% | — source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Kenner, LA · (504) 464-8065 HC UREA NITROGEN, BODY FLUIDS - RL | $15.96 | $57.00 | $3.56–$48.96 | 72% | — source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, LA · (504) 347-5511 Arup Bun Serum | $19.36 | $121.00 | $108.90–$92.57 | 84% | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, LA · (504) 347-5511 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $19.36 | $121.00 | $108.90–$92.57 | 84% | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, LA · (504) 347-5511 POCT Bun | $19.36 | $121.00 | $108.90–$92.57 | 84% | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, LA · (504) 347-5511 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $19.36 | $121.00 | $108.90–$92.57 | 84% | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero, LA · (504) 347-5511 Bun Serum | $19.36 | $121.00 | $108.90–$92.57 | 84% | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans, LA · (504) 988-5263 Bun Serum | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Bun Serum | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie, LA · (504) 988-5263 Bun Serum | $21.98 | $157.00 | $104.55–$9.08 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| St Charles Surgical Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 529-6600 LCMC BUN | $26.80 | $76.00 | $3.87–$34.81 | 65% | — source file |
| St Charles Surgical Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 529-6600 UREA NITROGEN (BUN) SERUM | $26.80 | $76.00 | $3.87–$34.81 | 65% | — source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans, LA · (504) 897-8247 POCT Bun | $28.56 | $204.00 | $103.84–$81.60 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans, LA · (504) 897-8247 Arup Bun Serum | $28.56 | $204.00 | $103.84–$81.60 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans, LA · (504) 897-8247 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $28.56 | $204.00 | $103.84–$81.60 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans, LA · (504) 897-8247 Bun Serum | $28.56 | $204.00 | $103.84–$81.60 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans, LA · (504) 897-8247 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $30.66 | $219.00 | $111.47–$87.60 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 592-6600 Arup Bun Serum | $32.00 | $200.00 | $120.00–$90.00 | 84% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 592-6600 Bun Serum | $32.00 | $200.00 | $120.00–$90.00 | 84% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 592-6600 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $32.00 | $200.00 | $120.00–$90.00 | 84% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 592-6600 POCT Bun | $32.00 | $200.00 | $120.00–$90.00 | 84% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 592-6600 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $32.00 | $200.00 | $120.00–$90.00 | 84% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 899-9511 Urea Nitrogen Fluid | $54.00 | $200.00 | $127.60–$97.78 | 73% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 899-9511 Urea Nitrogen Level to Assess Kidney Function | $54.00 | $200.00 | $127.60–$97.78 | 73% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 899-9511 Arup Bun Serum | $54.00 | $200.00 | $127.60–$97.78 | 73% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 899-9511 POCT Bun | $54.00 | $200.00 | $127.60–$97.78 | 73% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans, LA · (504) 899-9511 Bun Serum | $54.00 | $200.00 | $127.60–$97.78 | 73% | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 RT BLOOD UREA NITROGEN | $66.60 | $111.00 | $19.98–$111.00 | 40% | — source file |
Outpatient: lowest $5.50, median $9.46, highest $54.00 — a 9.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 6 facilities here, median $8.70. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 12 of 13 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 8 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
A BUN test measures urea nitrogen, a waste product removed by the kidneys. It is used with creatinine to check kidney function and hydration.
What the price covers
The price usually covers running the test. The blood draw (36415) is often billed as a separate line.