Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $52
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.67x 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 367% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 267%). 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 | $25 - $53 | 183% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $44 | 323% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $49 | 360% |
| Cigna | $49 | 360% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $52 | 382% |
| Aetna | $88 | 646% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82728, representing a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, lists a cash price of $52.00. This cash rate is identical to the facility's negotiated average of $50.00 and the median paid amount of $49.00, suggesting that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash upfront may be the most cost-effective option compared to using insurance. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the cash price aligns closely with the state average, offering a transparent baseline for self-pay patients.
When comparing commercial insurance rates, the facility's negotiated amounts range from $44.00 to $88.00 across six payers, with Blue Cross Blue Shield offering the lowest range at $25.00 to $53.00. It is important to note that these negotiated rates are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures, meaning patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill if paid in full at the time of service.