Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Graham County Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.48x 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 448% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 348%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $2 - $39 | 30% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $11 | 164% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $26 | 388% |
| Medicare (plans) | $26 - $31 | 388% |
| Celtic Commercial-All Other Plans | $28 - $34 | 418% |
| Wppa (Providers Care)-All Plans | $32 - $39 | 478% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for magnesium (CPT 83735) at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, Kansas, the cash price is $40.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This service is provided by a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government. While the facility's cash price aligns with its own negotiated rates, it is important to note that commercial insurance plans often pay significantly higher amounts due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For instance, Medicaid/KanCare pays $32.00, while UnitedHealthcare and WPPA (Providers Care) pay up to $39.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the $40.00 cash price upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if their deductible has not been met or if the allowed amount exceeds the cash rate.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full. Additionally, if you have received a bill from this facility, you should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. If you encounter a balance bill for an out-of-network service, remember that the No Surprises Act generally protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always verify your specific plan's