Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $554
- Cash Discount Price: $63
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 40.65x 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 $13.63 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 4065% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 3965%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 2568% |
| Providrs Care | $757 | 5554% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the facility's cash price of $63.00 is significantly lower than the state average, which sits at $13.63 for the Medicare benchmark. While the hospital's negotiated rates for UnitedHealthcare and Providrs Care are listed at $350 and $757 respectively, these figures represent the maximum amounts insurers may pay under contract and do not necessarily reflect what a patient would owe. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying the cash price of $63.00 upfront could result in substantial savings compared to the negotiated rates, provided the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can lead to unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront. These discounts bypass the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing and provide immediate liquidity to the facility. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that the hospital may still submit a claim to your insurer even if you pay cash, which could void any self-pay agreement; therefore, requesting a waiver of insurance submission at registration is a critical step. Additionally, if you receive a bill after using insurance, always request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be corrected through a formal written