CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, magnesium

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 83735
Insurance Median: $96
Cash Discount Price: $92
vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.33x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, magnesium at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $96. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $92. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $6.7, this hospital’s rate is 14.33x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$92

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$96

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$6.7

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $6.7 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $92 (1373%)

Insurance Median: $96 (1433%)

Cash: $92 (1373% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $96 (1433% of 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 1433% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1333%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
UnitedHealthcare	$7 - $114	104%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$8 - $99	119%
Cigna	$9 - $122	134%
Aetna	$13 - $115	194%
Allied Benefits [498]	$13 - $114	194%
Consociate [478]	$13	194%
Coresource [497]	$13	194%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$13	194%
Mail Handlers [495]	$13	194%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$13	194%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$16	239%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$16	239%
Priority Health [648]	$16	239%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$21 - $133	313%
Humana	$22	328%
Mercy Behavioral Health [573]	$38	567%
Healthlink [225]	$74 - $116	1104%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$84 - $99	1254%
Health Alliance [224]	$84	1254%
Hope Trust [806]	$89	1328%
Med-Pay [480]	$99 - $115	1478%
Unicare [568]	$99 - $116	1478%
First Health Commercial [734]	$114	1701%
Beechstreet [551]	$115	1716%
Detego Health [868]	$115	1716%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$115	1716%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$115	1716%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$115	1716%
Multiplan [240]	$115	1716%
Phcs [244]	$115 - $122	1716%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$116	1731%
Medica [661]	$122	1821%
Hfn [563]	$130	1940%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $92.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 83735.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 83735.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.