Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $36
- Cash Discount Price: $52
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.37x 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 537% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 437%). 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 | $36 | 537% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Norton County Hospital, the cash price of $52.00 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $36.00, which is the amount Blue Cross Blue Shield pays. This cash price also represents a substantial discount compared to the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, indicating that the facility's commercial rates are well above the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Norton, Kansas, and is owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $52.00 cash price more advantageous than using insurance, as the negotiated rate often exceeds the cash amount. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final bill.
It is important to understand that the $36.00 negotiated rate is a contractual ceiling set by Blue Cross Blue Shield, not the full list price of $74.00. Because this service is in-network, the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from balance billing for the test itself, preventing providers from charging the difference between the negotiated rate and the full chargemaster. However, patients should still request a detailed, itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. If a summary bill is received, patients should demand a line-by-line CPT-coded statement before paying, and any disputes regarding billing accuracy should be resolved in writing to avoid verbal misunderstandings.