Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $98
- Cash Discount Price: $79
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.63x 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 1463% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1363%). 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 | $25 - $230 | 373% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $77 - $238 | 1149% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $79 - $207 | 1179% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for magnesium at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $79.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the state average for this service, which is $6.70, and also exceeds the Medicare benchmark of $6.70. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthy Blue have negotiated rates ranging from $77 to $238, these amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $79.00 cash price directly, as the insurance negotiated rates can be substantially higher, and they may not yet have met their deductible to receive coverage.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary by carrier and can sometimes be much higher than the cash price. Additionally, if you are concerned about potential balance billing or errors, request a detailed, itemized bill that lists every specific code and charge. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the line-by-line statement is the most effective way to identify unbundled codes or services not rendered, ensuring you only pay for what was actually provided.