Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)

For this blood test for ferritin (iron stores), Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc. lists a gross charge of $189.00, which is significantly higher than the state average. However, the facility's cash price is $123.00, and the median negotiated rate paid by insurance plans is $22.00. It is important to note that while cash payments can sometimes be cheaper for patients with high-deductible plans, the actual amount you owe depends on your specific insurance coverage. Many commercial payers in this area negotiate rates that are higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures, so patients should verify their specific allowed amounts before scheduling. Additionally, patients should ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.

When evaluating this service, it is crucial to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated list price. The Medicare amount for this code is $13.63, and the facility's cash rate of $123.00 represents a markup of 1.6 times the Medicare rate. While commercial negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare, fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount. If you are out-of-network, you may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, though federal protections like the No Surprises Act may limit these charges for emergency care or services at in-network facilities. To ensure accuracy, always request a detailed