Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $66
- Cash Discount Price: $81
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.84x 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 484% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 384%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $60 - $73 | 440% |
| Cigna | $60 - $73 | 440% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $60 - $73 | 440% |
| Aetna | $60 - $73 | 440% |
| Humana | $60 - $73 | 440% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82728, representing a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), the facility's cash median price is $81.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates of $66.00 paid by major insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Humana. This price transparency report highlights that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $81.00 upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than having insurance cover the service, as the insurer's negotiated rate of $67.00 may still exceed the cash price after deductibles are met. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Ellinwood, KS, and is owned by a Government Hospital District, specific self-pay or prompt-pay discounts may be available if requested directly from the hospital before scheduling the test.
When evaluating the cost against federal benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $13.63, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing. The facility's cash rate of $81.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare rate, illustrating how commercial pricing structures often differ from the government's cost-based calculations. Consumers should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for out-of-network services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, but it is crucial to verify network status and request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or errors exist. If you receive a summary bill, you have the right to demand a detailed line-by-line statement to identify any services not rendered or codes that should have been bundled, ensuring you are only paying