Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $70
- Cash Discount Price: $63
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.14x 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 514% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 414%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $12 - $70 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $12 - $70 | 88% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $12 - $81 | 88% |
| Humana | $12 - $92 | 88% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $13 | 95% |
| Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] | $13 | 95% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $13 | 95% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $13 | 95% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $13 | 95% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $13 | 95% |
| Centurion Of Missouri [20459] | $13 | 95% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $13 | 95% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $13 | 95% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $13 | 95% |
| Medicare (plans) | $13 - $73 | 95% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $13 | 95% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $13 | 95% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $13 - $70 | 95% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $13 | 95% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $13 | 95% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $17 | 125% |
| Centivo Contracted [320505] | $22 | 161% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $42 | 308% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $42 | 308% |
| Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] | $44 | 323% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $70 | 514% |
| Cigna | $70 | 514% |
| Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] | $70 | 514% |
| Novasys Contracted [320285] | $70 | 514% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $70 | 514% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $70 | 514% |
| Aetna | $70 - $87 | 514% |
| Tricare | $71 | 521% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $78 - $82 | 572% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $81 - $92 | 594% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $87 | 638% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $87 - $92 | 638% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $87 | 638% |
| Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] | $87 | 638% |
| Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] | $87 | 638% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $87 | 638% |
| Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] | $87 | 638% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $87 - $92 | 638% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $92 | 675% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $92 | 675% |
| Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] | $92 | 675% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $92 | 675% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $92 | 675% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $92 | 675% |
| Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] | $92 | 675% |
| 90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] | $92 | 675% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $92 | 675% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $92 | 675% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $92 | 675% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $92 | 675% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $92 | 675% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price of $63.00 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans, which range from $12 to $92 depending on the payer. While the facility's cash rate is also lower than the state average of $70.00 for this service, patients with high-deductible plans or those who have already met their deductible may find that paying cash upfront is the most cost-effective option. Many commercial payers, including UnitedHealthcare and Humana, negotiate rates that exceed the cash price, meaning self-pay patients could save money by requesting a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling their visit.
It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates are often inflated by administrative costs and contract structures, sometimes reaching up to 300% of the Medicare benchmark rate of $13.63 for this procedure. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details to avoid unexpected costs. If you receive a bill that appears higher than the cash price or the negotiated rate, you should request a full itemized audit to ensure no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain such discrepancies.