CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, magnesium

Facility: North Carolina Baptist Hospital

Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 83735
Insurance Median: $32
Cash Discount Price: $48
vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.78x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, magnesium at North Carolina Baptist Hospital is $32. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $48. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $6.7, this hospital’s rate is 4.78x the Medicare baseline. Located in Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC.

Cash / Self-Pay

$48

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$32

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: $48 (716%)

Insurance Median: $32 (478%)

Cash: $48 (716% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $32 (478% 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 478% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 378%). 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
Aetna	$7 - $83	104%
Apex	$7	104%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$7 - $36	104%
Cigna	$7 - $59	104%
Devoted	$7	104%
Healthteam	$7	104%
Humana	$7 - $54	104%
Medicare (plans)	$7	104%
UnitedHealthcare	$7 - $34	104%
Wellcare	$7 - $12	104%
Liberty	$8	119%
Alliance	$12	179%
Amerihealth	$12 - $23	179%
Carolina Complete	$12	179%
Health Blue	$12	179%
Medcost	$12 - $65	179%
Partners	$12	179%
Vaya	$12	179%
Trillium	$13	194%
Ambetter / Centene	$21 - $22	313%
Oscar	$28 - $35	418%
Directnet	$54 - $58	806%
Cone Health	$64 - $69	955%
Healthgram	$64 - $69	955%
First Carolina Care	$74 - $78	1104%
Private Healthcare Systems	$75 - $80	1119%
Multiplan	$83 - $88	1239%

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 $48.
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 North Carolina Baptist 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.