Blood test, magnesium
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 83735 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83735
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $44
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 129.85x 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 12985% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 12885%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 12985% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
If you are paying cash directly for this blood test for magnesium, you should know that the facility offers a self-pay rate of $44, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rate of $870 charged by Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead and claim processing fees, the cash price can be the most economical option for patients with high-deductible plans who do not yet have their deductible met. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly request a self-pay or prompt-pay discount before scheduling, as waiting until after receiving a bill may result in the loss of these upfront fee reductions.
In terms of broader pricing context, the facility's cash rate of $44 is notably higher than the state average of $21 and the Medicare benchmark of $6.70, reflecting the specific cost structure of this Critical Access Hospital in Manchester, Iowa. While the facility is a government-owned entity with a high rating of 4, it is important to note that the gross charge listed is $55, and the actual cost to the patient depends entirely on their payment method. Since this procedure is covered by only one payer with a single plan, there is no variation in the negotiated amount, making the direct cash payment of $44 the primary alternative to the insurance-administered rate of $870.