Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $75
- Cash Discount Price: $90
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.50x 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 550% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 450%). 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 | $75 | 550% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Norton County Hospital in Norton, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $75.00, which matches the lowest and highest rates reported for this service among the single payer, Blue Cross Blue Shield. This negotiated amount is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $129.00, reflecting the contractual ceiling that protects in-network members. However, the cash median price of $90.00 is notably higher than the negotiated rate, meaning that for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying out-of-pocket directly might not be the most economical option compared to using an in-network plan. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price can lead to unexpected costs if the insurer's negotiated rate exceeds your personal cash price.
When evaluating the cost against broader benchmarks, the facility's Medicare amount of $13.63 serves as the objective baseline for pricing. The facility's negotiated rate of $75.00 represents a substantial markup relative to this federal standard, illustrating the typical administrative and contract-related costs embedded in commercial insurance pricing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing the costly insurance claims cycle. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, consumers are advised to request a detailed, itemized statement to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.