Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $130
- Cash Discount Price: $100
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.54x 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 954% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 854%). 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 | $51 - $230 | 374% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $129 - $238 | 946% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $131 - $207 | 961% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $100.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $100.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $13.63. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should note that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $129 to $238 depending on the plan, with an average negotiated rate of $130.00. Because the cash price is lower than the typical negotiated rate, paying out-of-pocket may result in immediate savings for patients with high-deductible plans or those without current coverage. However, patients must verify if their specific plan has a lower allowed amount before assuming the cash price is the best option.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is crucial to request an itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as hospitals often use broad categories to obscure individual costs. If you receive a bill, review it line-by-line to check for unbundled codes or services not rendered, and dispute any errors in writing to avoid unnecessary debt. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final amount by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims. Always confirm your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can be more expensive than the cash price.