Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $46
- Cash Discount Price: $69
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.37x 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 337% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 237%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (plans) | $13 | 95% |
| Kaiser | $13 - $54 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $13 - $93 | 95% |
| Kansas Health | $13 | 95% |
| Devoted Health | $13 | 95% |
| Cigna | $13 - $18 | 95% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $13 - $63 | 95% |
| Aetna | $13 - $126 | 95% |
| Humana | $13 | 95% |
| Innovage | $13 | 95% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $17 | 125% |
| United Colorado Doctor'S Plan | $20 | 147% |
| Direct To Employer | $24 - $79 | 176% |
| Denver Health | $46 | 337% |
| Peak Health | $77 | 565% |
| Wpaa | $105 | 770% |
| Christian Health Aid | $120 | 880% |
| Multiplan | $135 - $167 | 990% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $146 | 1071% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82728, representing a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City lists a gross charge of $173.00. The facility's cash median price is $69.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $135.00 and the county average of $146.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $13 to $167, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate directly, as the negotiated allowed amounts from insurers can sometimes be higher than the self-pay price. It is recommended to explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $13.63, which serves as a critical baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. Commercial negotiated rates at this facility average 46.00, representing a markup relative to the federal government's cost-based reimbursement. Because the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should be aware that unexpected bills for emergency or non-emergency services are generally illegal. If a patient receives an itemized bill that appears inflated, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Disputing charges in writing with the billing supervisor is the most effective method to ensure the final invoice reflects the