Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: $27
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $3 | 45% |
| Tricare | $6 | 90% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $7 | 104% |
| Humana | $7 | 104% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $7 | 104% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $7 | 104% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $17 | 254% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $17 | 254% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $38 | 567% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, the facility's cash price of $27.00 is lower than the state average of $28.00, making it a potentially cost-effective option for patients without insurance or those with high-deductible plans. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna, Tricare, and Medicaid range from $7.00 to $28.00 depending on the specific plan, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should verify their specific deductible status before relying on insurance, as paying the full negotiated rate may not be covered until that threshold is met. Additionally, because the cash price is below the state median, it is worth asking the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the out-of-pocket cost for upfront payment.
When reviewing your bill, it is important to distinguish between the hospital's gross charge of $43.00 and the actual amounts paid or allowed. The gross charge represents the facility's list price, which is significantly higher than both the Medicare benchmark of $6.70 and the commercial negotiated rates, illustrating the markup common in healthcare pricing. If you receive a bill that includes charges from out-of-network providers, such as certain ancillary lab services, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. If you do encounter an unexpected bill, do not pay immediately; instead, request a formal itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, and dispute any balance billing claims in writing to ensure compliance with