Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $26
- Cash Discount Price: $65
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.88x 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 388% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 288%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $4 - $65 | 60% |
| Humana | $24 | 358% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $25 - $26 | 373% |
| First Health - All Plans | $58 | 866% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $62 | 925% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $65 | 970% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas, the cash price is $65.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the highest rate among the six payers listed. While the hospital's negotiated rates for in-network plans range from $24.00 to $65.00, the median negotiated amount is $26.00, and the median amount paid by insurers is $40.00. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the full cash price of $65.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount often exceeds the cash rate. Additionally, patients should verify with the hospital whether "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these can reduce the final bill significantly before insurance processing begins.
When evaluating the cost relative to the broader healthcare landscape, the facility's cash rate of $65.00 is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, reflecting a markup common in commercial pricing structures. The facility is a Critical Access Hospital with local government ownership, and while the facility holds a 4-star rating, the pricing dynamics remain consistent with the provided data. Patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare rates, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare benchmark. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is advisable to request an itemized billing audit if you receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can