Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $69
- Cash Discount Price: $72
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.06x 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 506% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 406%). 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 | $53 | 389% |
| Aetna | $67 | 492% |
| Humana | $71 | 521% |
| Cigna | $76 | 558% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the facility's cash price of $72.00 is notably lower than the state average of $90.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield ($53), Aetna ($67), and Humana ($71) are generally below the gross charge, these amounts often exceed the cash price, which can be beneficial for patients with high-deductible plans who may not yet have met their coverage threshold. Because commercial insurance contracts can sometimes result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay, it is advisable to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill if payment is made upfront.
This service is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a baseline rate of $13.63 for this procedure. The facility's cash price of $72.00 represents a significant markup relative to the federal government's cost-based reimbursement, illustrating how commercial rates are often structured above the true cost of delivery. To ensure you are not overcharged, consumers should request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as hospitals may bundle multiple services or unbundled codes that inflate the total. If you receive a balance bill for out-of-network ancillary services, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount for emergency and non-emergency care at in-network facilities.