Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $64
- Cash Discount Price: $67
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.70x 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 470% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 370%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $10 - $11 | 73% |
| Humana | $37 - $41 | 271% |
| Tricare | $40 - $44 | 293% |
| Aetna | $46 - $75 | 337% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $46 - $83 | 337% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $46 - $83 | 337% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $51 - $57 | 374% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $71 - $79 | 521% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $73 | 536% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $75 - $83 | 550% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, the facility's cash price of $67.00 is notably higher than the state average of $51.00, though it remains significantly lower than the gross charge of $79.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Wakeeney, KS, with government local ownership, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For instance, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated ranges starting at $46.00 but extending up to $83.00, which can be more expensive than paying out-of-pocket. This dynamic suggests that individuals with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash price directly, provided they confirm their specific plan's coverage limits and any applicable copays.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is crucial to request an itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual code costs and potential errors. If you choose to use insurance, verify your deductible status beforehand, as paying a negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than anticipated. Additionally, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if settled upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. Always compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $13.63 to understand the true cost basis, noting that commercial rates are typically marked up significantly above this federal baseline.