Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Pratt Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $53
- Cash Discount Price: $42
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.91x 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 $6.7 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 791% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 691%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Health Aid | $30 - $56 | 448% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $33 - $77 | 493% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $34 - $64 | 507% |
| Aetna | $36 - $68 | 537% |
| Choicecare | $40 - $75 | 597% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for magnesium (CPT 83735) at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, KS, the facility's cash median price of $42.00 is notably lower than the state average, which sits at $53.00. While the hospital's gross charge is $60.00, commercial insurance plans typically pay significantly more than the cash rate; for instance, UnitedHealthcare's negotiated rate ranges from $33 to $77, and Aetna's ranges from $36 to $68. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where cash-pay options can be more cost-effective than insurance for patients with high deductibles, as the insurance negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the negotiated rate without meeting the deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash directly.
To maximize savings, patients are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is important to understand that while Medicare sets a benchmark of $6.70 for this service, commercial rates are frequently marked up significantly above this baseline due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to request an itemized billing audit to identify errors or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Always ensure you are comparing rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list to get a clear picture of fair pricing.