Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Morris County Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: $127
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.02x 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 602% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 502%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providrs Care (Wppa)(Nexus)-All Plans | $14 | 103% |
| Aetna | $17 | 125% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $29 | 213% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $51 - $82 | 374% |
| Choice Care Mcr Adv-All Plans | $82 | 602% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $82 - $211 | 602% |
| Coventry Mcr | $82 | 602% |
| Cigna | $153 | 1123% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $190 | 1394% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $190 | 1394% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Morris County Hospital in Council Grove, Kansas, the cash price is $127, while the median amount paid by insurance is $82. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, and its pricing is notably lower than the state average, which is $190. While the cash price is higher than the insurance payment, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price directly more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be inflated by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care, making the direct cash price a useful benchmark for comparison.
Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are not covered under the same contract. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary bills may hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, since this facility offers prompt-pay discounts for upfront payment, you should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay rates before scheduling your visit, as these discounts can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs compared to standard billing cycles.