Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Decatur Health
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $75
- Cash Discount Price: $89
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $59 | 433% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $60 - $75 | 440% |
| Humana | $61 | 448% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $69 | 506% |
| Midlands Choice- All Plans | $89 | 653% |
| Aetna | $89 - $99 | 653% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $100 | 734% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Decatur Health in Oberlin, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $89.00, which is lower than the state average of $99.00 and the county average of $89.00. While many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed this cash price—ranging from $59 to $99 depending on the insurance plan—patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if their insurance allowed amount is higher than the cash rate. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, patients should explicitly ask for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the cost compared to standard billing cycles.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $13.63, which serves as a critical baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The facility's cash rate of $89.00 represents a significant increase over the Medicare amount, a common practice in commercial healthcare where negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate due to administrative costs and contract dynamics. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you may be subject to balance billing, which is the practice of being billed for the difference between the provider's full charge and what your insurance pays. Under the No Surprises Act, balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so patients should dispute any surprise bills immediately rather than paying them out of fear of credit damage.