Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $55
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $12 | 88% |
| Aetna | $12 | 88% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $14 | 103% |
| Humana | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 | 103% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 103% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $35 | 257% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $36 | 264% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $79 | 580% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, the cash price is $55.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $14.00 to $36.00 across various payers. While the facility's cash rate is significantly below its gross charge of $88.00, patients with high-deductible plans should verify if paying out-of-pocket is more cost-effective than using insurance, as some negotiated rates exceed the cash price. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for many major carriers like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, the specific negotiated amounts vary by plan; for instance, Tricare and Aetna plans show a negotiated rate of $12.00, whereas Medicaid/KanCare is set at $14.00.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, you may have protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final cost by 20% to 50% if you pay in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.