Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Nmc Health
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $99
- Cash Discount Price: $99
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.26x 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 726% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 626%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $43 - $133 | 315% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $53 | 389% |
| Wppa | $67 - $89 | 492% |
| Occunet | $73 - $97 | 536% |
| Samaritan Ministries International | $79 - $105 | 580% |
| Medincrease Health Plan | $79 - $105 | 580% |
| Prime Health Services | $92 - $121 | 675% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $110 - $145 | 807% |
| Cigna | $116 - $153 | 851% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Nmc Health in Newton, Kansas, the cash price is $99.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $142.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna range from $110 to $153, the cash price remains the most transparent baseline for comparison. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $99.00 upfront can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. Additionally, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which could further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
When evaluating this cost against broader benchmarks, the cash price of $99.00 is significantly lower than the Medicare reimbursement rate of $13.63 for this specific CPT code, highlighting the substantial markup inherent in commercial billing structures. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average rates for this procedure, the facility's cash rate is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark, illustrating the price variance between federal cost-based rates and commercial pricing. To ensure you are not overcharged, it is recommended to request an itemized bill to confirm that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have inflated the total, and to dispute any balance billing that may arise from out-of-network ancillary services under federal protections.