Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $75
- Cash Discount Price: $63
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $65 - $77 | 477% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $68 - $82 | 499% |
| Aetna | $68 - $82 | 499% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $70 - $84 | 514% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $72 - $86 | 528% |
| First Health-All Plans | $72 - $86 | 528% |
| Cigna | $72 - $86 | 528% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test measuring ferritin (iron stores) at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's cash median price of $63.00 is lower than the state average of $68.00 and the county average of $72.00. While the Medicare benchmark for this service is $13.63, commercial insurance negotiated rates typically range from $65.00 to $86.00 depending on the carrier, with the lowest allowed amount being $65.00. Because the cash price is below the lowest negotiated rate, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying out-of-pocket, provided they can afford the upfront cost. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums that push them well above the true cost baseline established by Medicare.
Patients should verify if the hospital offers a "prompt-pay" discount, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for those who pay in full within a short window, effectively bypassing the higher administrative costs associated with insurance billing. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, the gross charge of $84.00 serves as the starting point for all billing, and commercial contracts generally cap payments between $68.00 and $86.00. To ensure you are receiving the most favorable rate, you should request an itemized bill before payment and confirm whether any ancillary services were billed at out-of-network rates, as the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency and non-emergency care at in-network facilities.