Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $53
- Cash Discount Price: $148
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.89x 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 389% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 289%). 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 | $53 | 389% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash price is $148.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $165.00. While the median negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $53.00, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price of $148.00 more affordable if their insurance allowed amount exceeds this figure. It is important to note that cash-pay rates can sometimes be cheaper than the negotiated rates your insurance pays, so you should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit to ensure you are receiving the best possible price.
This service is benchmarked against Medicare, which pays $13.63 for this code, indicating a significant markup in the commercial market. The facility's cash rate of $148.00 is substantially higher than the state of Kansas average, though specific county averages were not provided in this report. Because commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate prices beyond the true cost of care, it is advisable to verify your plan's allowed amount and request an itemized bill to identify any errors or unbundled charges. If you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, you may have protections under the No Surprises Act, and you should dispute any unexpected charges in writing rather than paying immediately.