Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Greeley County Health Services
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: $43
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.04x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $7 | 104% |
| Aetna | $7 | 104% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood magnesium test at Greeley County Health Services, the cash price of $43.00 is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $61.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Tribune, KS, with government-local ownership, the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure. However, the cash rate of $43.00 is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, which serves as the federal baseline for cost. It is important to note that while cash prices can be attractive, commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service are listed at $7.00. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying the cash price upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their deductible has not yet been met or if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate.
When using insurance, patients should be aware of the difference between the gross charge and the negotiated rate. Although the facility has contracts with payers like Medicaid/KanCare and Aetna, the negotiated rate of $7.00 is still lower than the gross charge, reflecting the administrative costs and contract terms involved. If a patient chooses to pay out-of-pocket, they should explicitly ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, patients should request a full itemized bill before paying to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. If any charges appear incorrect, a formal written dispute should be sent to the billing supervisor rather than settling verbally.