Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $43
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.15x 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 315% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 215%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $14 - $53 | 103% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 | 103% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test procedure for ferritin (iron stores) at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $14 to $53 across three major payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare. While the median amount paid by insurance is $14,365.00, this figure appears significantly higher than the provided negotiated average of $43.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $13.63, suggesting a potential discrepancy in the reported paid amount or a specific high-cost scenario. When comparing facility pricing to the broader market, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed the true cost of care as defined by Medicare benchmarks, which typically serve as a more accurate baseline for fair pricing than the hospital's full chargemaster list.
Patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a more affordable alternative if your insurance plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though the cash median is not currently available for this specific code. To secure the best possible rate, you should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill that includes broad category totals rather than a detailed line-by-line statement, you have the right to request an itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected through formal written disputes.