Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $63
- Cash Discount Price: $76
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.62x 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 462% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 362%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $46 - $85 | 337% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $53 | 389% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $59 - $76 | 433% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $62 - $80 | 455% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $63 - $81 | 462% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $63 - $81 | 462% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $63 - $81 | 462% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas, the cash price is $76.00, which matches the facility's listed gross charge. This cash rate is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by insurance plans, which range from $53 to $85 depending on the carrier. For example, Medicaid/KanCare plans pay a low of $46 while UnitedHealthcare and Midlands Choice pay up to $81. Because commercial insurance rates often include administrative processing costs and contract markups, paying cash directly can sometimes result in a lower out-of-pocket cost than using an in-network plan, especially if your deductible has not yet been met.
When comparing this facility's pricing to broader benchmarks, the cash price of $76.00 is notably higher than the state of Kansas average for this service, which is approximately $63.00. However, the facility's negotiated rate of $63.00 aligns closely with the state average, suggesting that while the cash price is inflated relative to the region, the insurance contracts are fairly priced. Patients should be aware that hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for upfront cash payments, which could further reduce the $76.00 charge. It is recommended to contact the hospital's billing department before scheduling to confirm if a self-pay discount or prompt-pay reduction is available, as these rates are not automatically applied during insurance claims processing.