Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Hodgeman County Health Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $91
- Cash Discount Price: $103
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.68x 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 668% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 568%). 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 | $51 - $53 | 374% |
| Humana | $83 | 609% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $83 - $129 | 609% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $83 - $123 | 609% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $83 | 609% |
| Aetna | $103 | 756% |
| First Health - All Plans | $116 | 851% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $123 | 902% |
| Wppa (Provdrscare) - All Plans | $123 | 902% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore, Kansas, the cash price of $103 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $129. While the facility is a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, the negotiated rates for insurance payers range from $51 to $129, with most plans settling between $83 and $123. Notably, the cash price of $103 is higher than the facility's median negotiated rate of $91 and the median paid amount of $97, suggesting that for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying cash directly might result in a lower total cost than relying on insurance reimbursement. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may still exceed the cash price depending on the payer's specific contract terms.
When reviewing your final invoice, ensure you request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary statement, as hospitals often use broad categories to obscure individual charges. This test carries a Medicare benchmark of $13.63, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing; commercial rates are typically marked up significantly above this figure, with fair pricing generally defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the insurance allowed amount and the cash price, you may be eligible for protections under the No Surprises Act, particularly if the facility is in-network. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you settle