Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Ashland Health Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $36
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.37x 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 537% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 437%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $11 - $13 | 164% |
| Compalliance-All Plans | $26 - $30 | 388% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas-All Plans | $28 - $32 | 418% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $32 - $37 | 478% |
| Aetna | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Medicare (plans) | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Medica Mcare - All Plans | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Health Choice-All Plans | $33 - $38 | 493% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $50 - $57 | 746% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, magnesium procedure at Ashland Health Center in Ashland, KS, the facility's cash price of $29.00 is lower than the state average of $34.00. While the facility's negotiated rate of $36.00 matches the state average, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $29.00. It is important to note that commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Compalliance-All Plans have negotiated rates ranging from $11 to $37, which can vary significantly by plan. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, you should explicitly ask the billing department about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
When reviewing your final invoice, always request a detailed itemized bill rather than accepting a summary statement that groups charges into broad categories like "Laboratory." This step is crucial because hospitals sometimes bill separately for components of a single procedure, such as sutures or scalpel blades, which should be bundled into the main code. Additionally, compare your facility's charges against the Medicare benchmark of $6.70; since Medicare rates represent a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care, they provide a more accurate measure of pricing fairness than the facility's inflated chargemaster list. If you receive a bill that appears higher than expected, you have the right to dispute any unbundled codes or services not rendered by sending a formal written audit request to the billing supervisor.