Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.04x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $3 - $7 | 45% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $7 - $17 | 104% |
| Triwest | $7 | 104% |
| Aetna | $7 - $22 | 104% |
| Cigna | $11 | 164% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, magnesium procedure (CPT 83735) at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash median price is $40.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. This rate is significantly lower than the typical commercial negotiated rates observed across payers like UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna, where allowed amounts range from $7.00 to $22.00 depending on the specific plan. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, patients should note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. It is always advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final cost.
When reviewing your bill, it is important to request an itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Comparing this service to the Medicare benchmark of $6.70 reveals that the cash price is approximately six times the federal baseline, which is consistent with the 200% to 300% markup often seen in commercial rates. However, since the facility's cash rate is already at the gross charge level, there is no room for further discounting off the list price; any savings would come strictly from the negotiated rates offered by insurance plans. If you receive a bill that appears inflated, you should dispute it in writing with the billing supervisor to ensure accuracy, as verbal disputes often fail