Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $70
- Cash Discount Price: $74
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $59 - $60 | 433% |
| Humana | $67 - $68 | 492% |
| Aetna | $68 - $75 | 499% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $70 - $71 | 514% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $70 - $71 | 514% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $73 - $75 | 536% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, KS, the cash price is $74.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $68 to $75, the cash price remains consistent at $74.00. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, and while specific county or state average data was not provided in this report, patients should note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than insurance claims if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. Because the cash price is identical to the negotiated rate, there is no financial advantage to using insurance for this specific service unless the patient's plan covers the cost entirely after deductibles.
Patients should verify if they qualify for prompt-pay discounts by asking the hospital directly before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can lower the final bill. It is important to understand that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients must still review their itemized bills to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. If a discrepancy arises, a formal written audit dispute sent to the billing supervisor is the most effective way to resolve errors, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected. Given that the facility is owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should also confirm whether their specific insurance plan is accepted for this service to avoid any potential administrative hurdles.