Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.03x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $10 - $19 | 73% |
| Via Christi Research | $14 | 103% |
| Humana | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 - $38 | 103% |
| Medicare (plans) | $14 | 103% |
| Vc Hope | $14 | 103% |
| Va | $14 | 103% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $14 | 103% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $14 | 103% |
| Corizon | $17 | 125% |
| Mdsave | $20 | 147% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $23 | 169% |
| Aetna | $43 | 315% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $55 | 404% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Humana range from $14 to $38, while Medicare allows a payment of $13.63. The facility's negotiated average of $14.00 aligns closely with the state average for this procedure, offering no significant markup over the federal baseline. While commercial insurance contracts often result in higher costs due to administrative processing fees, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price directly is more economical, as the cash rate can sometimes be lower than the insurance negotiated amount. It is important to note that cash payments are not automatically discounted; patients should explicitly request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" rates before scheduling to ensure they receive the best possible upfront fee.
This service is provided at an acute care hospital in Wichita, Kansas, where the facility operates as a voluntary non-profit. Although the data does not list a specific cash median or a direct comparison to county averages, the facility's pricing structure follows standard industry practices where commercial rates exceed the true cost of care represented by Medicare. To avoid unexpected balance billing or errors, patients should always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices often obscure individual charges. If a patient receives a bill that seems inconsistent with the negotiated rates, they should verify the code usage and ensure no services were unbundled or incorrectly charged, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit.