Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $6 - $9 | 90% |
| Via Christi Research | $7 | 104% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $7 | 104% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $7 | 104% |
| Medicare (plans) | $7 | 104% |
| Humana | $7 | 104% |
| Va | $7 | 104% |
| Vc Hope | $7 | 104% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $7 - $19 | 104% |
| Corizon | $8 | 119% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $11 | 164% |
| Aetna | $21 | 313% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $27 | 403% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 83735, representing a blood test for magnesium, the facility's negotiated rates range from $6.70 to $7.00 across various payers, with a median negotiated amount of $7.00. This rate is consistent with the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, indicating that the facility's pricing aligns closely with the federal government's cost-based standard. While commercial insurance contracts often result in rates significantly higher than cash prices due to administrative overhead and network tiering, the data shows no specific cash or median paid values provided for this service. Patients with high-deductible plans should be aware that paying cash upfront could potentially be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the facility's self-pay pricing, though the specific cash rate is not currently listed.
To ensure you receive the most accurate and lowest possible price, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full before or shortly after services are rendered. Since the facility is an in-network provider for many major insurers, balance billing is generally not an issue for covered services under the No Surprises Act, but patients should still verify their specific plan details to confirm coverage. If you receive a bill that appears inflated, you have the right to request a formal itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected. Always compare the final allowed amount against the Medicare rate of $6.70 to ensure the facility is charging a fair price relative to the