Blood test, magnesium
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $56
- Cash Discount Price: $19
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.36x 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 836% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 736%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $13 - $52 | 194% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $13 - $75 | 194% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $13 - $52 | 194% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $16 - $62 | 239% |
| National Assn Letter Carriers [503200019] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Cigna | $19 - $100 | 284% |
| Php [503200005] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Aetna | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Alt Meritain Health [503999911] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $19 - $75 | 284% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $22 - $88 | 328% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $26 - $106 | 388% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $28 - $112 | 418% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at the University of KS Health System Great Bend Campus, the cash price of $19.00 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $56.00 paid by insurance plans. While the facility's cash rate is also lower than the state average of $57.00, patients with high-deductible plans should verify if their specific insurance allows for a lower negotiated rate than the cash price, as paying out-of-pocket might result in a higher total cost if the insurer's allowed amount exceeds $19.00. It is important to note that while the facility is an in-network provider for many payers, the administrative costs associated with insurance billing often inflate the negotiated rate above the direct cash price, making prompt-pay discounts a potential option for those who can settle upfront.
The facility's pricing structure reflects standard industry dynamics where commercial rates can vary widely based on payer contracts, with negotiated amounts ranging from 13% to 112% of the Medicare benchmark of $6.70 across different insurers. Since Medicare rates represent a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care, comparing the facility's gross charge of $93.00 to the Medicare rate reveals a substantial markup, highlighting the importance of understanding the difference between list prices and actual reimbursement. Patients should be aware that balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act may apply if out-of-network services are involved, and they should always request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final statement.