Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $34
- Cash Discount Price: $35
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.07x 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 507% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 407%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $3 | 45% |
| Humana | $20 - $21 | 299% |
| Tricare | $21 - $22 | 313% |
| Aetna | $25 - $38 | 373% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $25 - $42 | 373% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $25 - $42 | 373% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $27 - $29 | 403% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $35 | 522% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $38 - $40 | 567% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $40 - $42 | 597% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for magnesium (CPT 83735), Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in Wakeeney, KS, has a cash median price of $35.00 and a median negotiated rate of $34.00. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and its pricing is notably lower than the state average for this service. While the facility's negotiated rates are generally competitive, patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes be the most cost-effective option, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurance negotiated rate might exceed the cash price. To maximize savings, patients are encouraged to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%.
It is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charge of $41.00 and the actual amounts paid or allowed. The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $6.70, which serves as a baseline to evaluate the facility's markup, though commercial rates often run significantly higher due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you are using insurance, the allowed amount varies by payer, ranging from $3.00 for some plans to $42.00 for others, with the facility's own negotiated rate sitting at $34.00. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered, unbundled codes, or items that were cancelled, you should request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary bill. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at