Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $73
- Cash Discount Price: $105
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.36x 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 536% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 436%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $64 | 470% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $73 | 536% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $100 | 734% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kansas, the cash price is $105.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $73.00 for in-network payers. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the final cost. In this specific case, the cash price is actually higher than the negotiated rate paid by insurers like Celtic Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare. However, for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price of $105.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher out-of-pocket expense once deductibles are applied.
The facility's pricing is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark, with the Medicare amount set at $13.63 for this service. This highlights that commercial rates can vary widely from the federal baseline, and it is important to compare rates against the Medicare amount rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list to understand the true markup. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this code, patients are encouraged to verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. To potentially lower costs, patients should ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer a fee reduction for upfront payment, and ensure they request an itemized bill to review every charge for accuracy.