Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $53
- 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% |
| Providrs Care | $14 | 103% |
| Medicare (plans) | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 - $38 | 103% |
| Aetna | $14 | 103% |
| Humana | $14 | 103% |
| Va | $14 | 103% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 103% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $23 | 169% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $94 - $119 | 690% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc, the cash price is $53.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans. While the facility's negotiated rate averages $14.00, this figure represents the maximum amount insurers agree to pay under contract; it does not reflect the actual cost to the patient. For patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket threshold, paying the cash price of $53.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could exceed the cash rate. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service.
When evaluating the value of this service, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross chargemaster list. The Medicare reimbursement rate for this code is $13.63, and the facility's negotiated rate is approximately 103% of that amount, indicating a markup that is consistent with fair pricing standards. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this procedure, the facility's cash price of $53.00 serves as a reliable baseline for patients to negotiate with their insurance carriers. If a patient receives an itemized bill that includes unexpected charges or services not rendered, they should request a full audit of the CPT codes to ensure accuracy, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal