Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $59
- Cash Discount Price: $59
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.81x 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 881% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 781%). 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 | $26 | 388% |
| Wppa | $56 - $59 | 836% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $59 | 881% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a blood test for magnesium at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $59.00, which is notably higher than the state average of $6.60. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, WPPA, and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $26 to $59, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $59.00 cash price directly, as this avoids the higher negotiated rates that insurers charge, provided they have not yet met their deductible. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly even within the same facility.
To ensure you are receiving the most favorable rate, we recommend contacting the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, you should request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-charging or unbundled codes. For context, the facility's negotiated rate of $59.00 aligns with the median negotiated amount reported for this service, but comparing this to the Medicare benchmark of $6.70 reveals that commercial rates are significantly higher than the federal baseline. Always dispute any unexpected balance billing by requesting a formal audit and referencing the No Surprises Act protections before making a payment.