Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc.
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $60
- Cash Discount Price: $116
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.40x 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 440% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 340%). 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% |
| Aetna | $53 - $87 | 389% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $66 | 484% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82728, representing a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc. in Marysville, KS, lists a cash median price of $116.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. This cash rate is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to insurance payers, with Aetna plans paying a median of $87.00 and UnitedHealthcare a flat $66.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, particularly if the patient's plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling the test.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare rates against federal benchmarks rather than the hospital's full list price. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $13.63, which serves as the objective baseline for determining fair pricing. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this exact code, the significant gap between the Medicare rate and the facility's cash price highlights the potential for high markups in commercial billing. Consumers should avoid accepting summary bills that obscure individual charges and instead request a detailed, itemized statement to ensure no errors or unbundled codes are present. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network ancillary service, patients have the right to dispute the amount under federal protections, but verifying the itemized breakdown first is the most effective step to prevent unexpected debt.