CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, magnesium

Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus

Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 83735
  • Insurance Median: $76
  • Cash Discount Price: $67
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.34x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, magnesium at Mercy Hospital Columbus is $76. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $67. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $6.7, this hospital’s rate is 11.34x the Medicare baseline. Located in 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS.
Cash / Self-Pay
$67

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$76

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$6.7

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $6.7 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $67 (1000%)
Insurance Median: $76 (1134%)
Cash: $67 (1000% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $76 (1134% of 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 1134% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1034%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

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 $6 - $34 90%
Humana $6 - $126 90%
UnitedHealthcare $6 - $110 90%
Medicaid / KanCare $6 - $97 90%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] $7 104%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] $7 104%
Medicare (plans) $7 - $100 104%
Aetna $7 - $120 104%
Kindful Hospice [20434] $7 104%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] $7 104%
Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] $7 104%
Ambetter / Centene $7 - $97 104%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] $7 104%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] $7 104%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325] $7 104%
Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] $7 104%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] $7 104%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] $7 104%
Centurion Of Missouri [20459] $7 104%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] $7 104%
Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] $7 104%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] $7 104%
Healthscope Contracted [320182] $8 119%
Centivo Contracted [320505] $11 164%
Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] $34 - $57 507%
Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] $34 - $57 507%
Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] $36 - $60 537%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145] $58 - $97 866%
Novasys Contracted [320285] $58 - $97 866%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] $58 - $97 866%
Cigna $58 - $97 866%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] $58 - $97 866%
Tricare $58 - $97 866%
Workers Comp [20426] $64 - $113 955%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] $66 - $126 985%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] $72 - $126 1075%
American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] $72 - $120 1075%
First Health Contracted [320128] $72 - $120 1075%
Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] $72 - $120 1075%
Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] $72 - $120 1075%
Healthlink Contracted [320179] $72 - $126 1075%
Medica Contracted [320239] $72 - $119 1075%
Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] $72 - $120 1075%
Ebms Contracted [320493] $76 - $126 1134%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492] $76 - $126 1134%
Aither Health Contracted [320449] $76 - $126 1134%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] $76 - $126 1134%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] $76 - $126 1134%
Auxiant Contracted [320462] $76 - $126 1134%
Point C Contracted [320238] $76 - $126 1134%
Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] $76 - $126 1134%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] $76 - $126 1134%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052] $76 - $126 1134%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] $76 - $126 1134%
90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] $76 - $126 1134%
Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] $76 - $126 1134%

Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary

Mercy Hospital Columbus, located at 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue in Columbus, Kansas, charges $103 for the blood test, magnesium procedure (CPT code 83735). This gross rate is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $67, which remains below the state of Kansas average. For patients without insurance, paying the cash median of $67 may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should explicitly ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final cost.

The price transparency data indicates that Medicare allows only $6.70 for this service, meaning the gross charge is 11.3 times the Medicare benchmark. While the facility has negotiated rates with various payers ranging from $6 to $126, many of these amounts are still substantially higher than the cash price. For example, Humana and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates as high as $126 and $110 respectively, while Medicaid/KanCare rates are $97. Given that over 80% of hospital bills often contain errors or unbundled charges, consumers are advised to request a full itemized bill to verify that all services rendered are accurately coded. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients should be aware that balance billing for out-of-network ancillary services at in-network facilities is generally prohibited, though they should still review any consent forms carefully to avoid unexpected costs.

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Church
  • Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospitals