Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Mercy Specialty Hospital Southeast Kansas
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $31
- Cash Discount Price: $138
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.27x 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 227% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 127%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $11 - $197 | 81% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $11 - $37 | 81% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $12 - $38 | 88% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $12 - $19 | 88% |
| Humana | $12 - $14 | 88% |
| Aetna | $12 - $14 | 88% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $12 | 88% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $13 | 95% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $14 | 103% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $14 | 103% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $14 | 103% |
| Cigna | $14 - $78 | 103% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $14 | 103% |
| Tricare | $14 | 103% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $14 | 103% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $14 | 103% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $14 | 103% |
| Medicare (plans) | $14 | 103% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $14 | 103% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $14 | 103% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $14 | 103% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $14 | 103% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $14 | 103% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $14 | 103% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $14 | 103% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $15 | 110% |
| Centivo Contracted [320505] | $22 | 161% |
| Providrs Care Network Contracted [320484] | $26 | 191% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $37 - $160 | 271% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $37 | 271% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $37 | 271% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $37 | 271% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $37 - $160 | 271% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $84 - $149 | 616% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $84 | 616% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $149 - $160 | 1093% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $149 | 1093% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $149 | 1093% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $149 | 1093% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $149 | 1093% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $149 | 1093% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $149 | 1093% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $149 | 1093% |
| Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] | $160 | 1174% |
| Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] | $160 | 1174% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $160 | 1174% |
| Compcare Of The Ozarks Contracted [320437] | $168 | 1233% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $170 | 1247% |
| Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] | $197 | 1445% |
| Multiplan [20270] | $202 | 1482% |
| Multiplan Contracted [320270] | $202 | 1482% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test code 82728 (ferritin), the facility's cash price of $138 is significantly lower than the highest negotiated rates found in the data, which reach up to $202. While the facility's cash rate is higher than the national Medicare benchmark of $13.63, it remains well below the gross chargemaster price of $213. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed the cash amount. To secure the lowest possible price, patients should explicitly ask the hospital for self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
The data indicates that this specific service is subject to balance billing risks if a patient receives care from out-of-network providers or ancillary services that are not contracted with their insurer. Even at an in-network facility, unexpected charges for non-contracted lab services could result in bills for the difference between the provider's full rate and the insurance allowed amount. Consumers are advised to request a full itemized bill containing specific CPT codes before paying, as summary bills often obscure individual line items and potential errors. If a patient receives a surprise balance bill, they should dispute it in writing with the insurer to invoke federal protections under the No Surprises Act, rather than paying immediately out of fear of credit damage.