Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $108
- Cash Discount Price: $103
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.92x 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 792% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 692%). 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 | $14 - $114 | 103% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $53 | 389% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $97 | 712% |
| First Health-All Plans | $103 | 756% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $103 | 756% |
| Aetna | $103 | 756% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $108 | 792% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $108 | 792% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $108 | 792% |
| Cigna | $113 | 829% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $113 | 829% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit, KS, the facility's cash price of $103.00 is notably lower than the average negotiated rates paid by insurance plans, which range from $14 to $114. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher allowed amounts due to administrative costs and network tiering. In this case, the median negotiated rate across payers is $108.00, which is only slightly higher than the cash price, but the gross charge of $114.00 represents the full list price before any discounts. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially since the facility offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront billing that can further reduce the final amount owed.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is important to verify your specific plan's negotiated amount before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly even within the same facility. The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, with the Medicare amount for this service set at $13.63; however, commercial rates are typically higher to cover administrative overhead and profit margins. If you receive a bill that exceeds the cash price or the allowed amount, you should request an itemized billing audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies. Additionally, if you are concerned about balance billing, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from being billed for out-of-network services