Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $1,121
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.20x 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 220% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 120%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amerigroup | $14 | 103% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $14 - $202 | 103% |
| Devoted Health | $14 | 103% |
| Humana | $14 | 103% |
| Triwest Health Alliance | $14 | 103% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 103% |
| United | $14 - $504 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 | 103% |
| Coventry Health Care | $14 | 103% |
| Aetna | $14 - $400 | 103% |
| Correct Care Solutions | $20 | 147% |
| First Health | $29 - $517 | 213% |
| Multiplan | $30 - $1,009 | 220% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $40 | 293% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $194 - $560 | 1423% |
| Wppa | $195 | 1431% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $212 | 1555% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $212 | 1555% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $359 | 2634% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $729 | 5348% |
| Usa Managed Care | $953 | 6992% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $1,121.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting a markup of 220% compared to the Medicare benchmark of $13.63. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $14 to $953 depending on the specific plan, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying the cash rate directly can result in lower out-of-pocket costs, provided the patient secures a self-pay or prompt-pay discount before the claim is submitted to the insurer.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as hospitals may obscure individual charges to inflate the total. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, a line-by-line review is the most effective way to reduce medical debt. Additionally, patients should verify their deductible status before scheduling, as paying a negotiated rate without meeting the deductible may result in higher costs than anticipated. For immediate savings, contacting the hospital directly to confirm available prompt-pay discounts or self-pay reductions can bypass the administrative overhead of the insurance billing cycle, potentially lowering the final amount owed.