Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $73
- Cash Discount Price: $68
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.36x 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 536% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 436%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $61 | 448% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $69 | 506% |
| Wppa | $76 | 558% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $78 | 572% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Osborne County Memorial Hospital in Osborne, KS, the facility's cash median price of $68.00 is lower than the state average of $73.00, though it remains slightly higher than the local county average of $61.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Health Partners of Kansas range between $61.00 and $78.00, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective, as the insurance negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount, potentially resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses if the patient's deductible has not yet been met.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur from out-of-network ancillary services like specific lab tests. To avoid potential surprise bills, patients should request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices may hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can sometimes reduce the final amount owed by bypassing the costly insurance claims processing cycle.