Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Nmc Health
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $54
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.46x 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 746% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 646%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa | $19 - $68 | 284% |
| Occunet | $20 - $74 | 299% |
| Aetna | $21 | 313% |
| Medincrease Health Plan | $22 - $81 | 328% |
| Samaritan Ministries International | $22 - $81 | 328% |
| Prime Health Services | $26 - $93 | 388% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $26 | 388% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $31 - $112 | 463% |
| Cigna | $32 - $118 | 478% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Nmc Health in Newton, KS, the facility's cash price of $54.00 is notably lower than the state average of $77.00. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna negotiate rates ranging from $31 to $118, these amounts often exceed the cash price, making self-pay a potentially more economical option for patients with high-deductible plans. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates frequently include administrative overhead and contract markups, sometimes reaching 200% to 300% of the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of this baseline.
Patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as hospitals often offer significant fee reductions for upfront payments that bypass costly insurance billing cycles. Although the facility is an acute care hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, the median negotiated rate of $50.00 remains higher than the cash price, illustrating how administrative structures can inflate costs for insured members. To ensure you are receiving the best possible price, always request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, and verify your deductible status to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.