Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $57
- Cash Discount Price: $60
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.51x 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 851% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 751%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $55 | 821% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $55 | 821% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $57 | 851% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $57 | 851% |
| Multiplan- All Plans | $57 | 851% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 83735 (Blood test, magnesium) at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the facility's cash price is $60.00, which matches the reported cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, as indicated by a variance of 8.5% above the benchmark. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates of $55.00 to $57.00, these amounts remain close to the cash price, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket may not yield substantial savings compared to using insurance for this specific service. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as high negotiated rates often apply only after the deductible is met.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized bill that breaks down the exact CPT codes and unit costs rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If you choose to pay cash, inquire immediately about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. Additionally, remember that the facility's negotiated rates are based on contractual agreements with insurers and may differ from the facility's internal chargemaster list; therefore, comparing your final allowed amount to the Medicare rate of $6.70 provides a clearer picture of the facility's cost structure than looking at the gross charge alone.