Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $51
- Cash Discount Price: $102
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.61x 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 761% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 661%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $33 - $90 | 493% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $36 | 537% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $51 - $142 | 761% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, the cash price is $102.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $51.00 when adjusted for the specific payer context. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service can vary significantly, ranging from $33 to $142 depending on the specific plan. For individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $102.00 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for some payers like UnitedHealthcare can exceed the cash amount, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible is not yet met.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. If you receive a surprise bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Additionally, since the facility offers prompt-pay discounts for upfront payment, you should contact the hospital directly to confirm if a self-pay discount is available, as these rates can significantly reduce the final amount owed compared to standard billing cycles.