Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $72
- Cash Discount Price: $120
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.28x 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 528% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 428%). 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 | $17 - $94 | 125% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $50 | 367% |
| Humana | $126 | 924% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $126 | 924% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas, the cash price is $120, which is slightly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $126 charged by Humana and Medicaid. While the facility's cash rate is competitive, it is important to note that commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates ranging from $17 to $94, which are significantly lower than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans should verify if their specific plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, as paying out-of-pocket for $120 could save money compared to the insurer's allowed amount. Additionally, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost.
The facility's pricing for this service is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $13.63, showing a markup of 5.3 times the federal baseline. This aligns with the broader principle that commercial negotiated rates often exceed fair pricing benchmarks, which typically range from 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount. If you receive a bill for this service, you should request a full itemized statement to ensure no errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Disputing any discrepancies should be done in writing to the billing supervisor rather than relying on verbal assurances, ensuring you are only paying the accurate, contractually agreed-upon amount.