Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $72
- Cash Discount Price: $132
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.28x 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 528% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 428%). 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 | $38 | 279% |
| Tricare | $66 | 484% |
| Medicare (plans) | $66 | 484% |
| Humana | $66 | 484% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $72 | 528% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $118 | 866% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $125 | 917% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $125 | 917% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $184 | 1350% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for ferritin at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $132.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government ownership structure, the cash price is notably higher than the state average of $69.00. This suggests that paying out-of-pocket directly may not be the most cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans, as the insurance negotiated rate of $72.00 is significantly lower than the cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as utilizing insurance coverage could result in a lower out-of-pocket expense compared to paying the full cash rate.
The facility's billing practices align with standard industry benchmarks, where commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Although the facility offers a cash price of $132.00, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount prior to check-in to potentially reduce this amount, as hospitals typically offer fee reductions for upfront payments to bypass costly claims processing. Additionally, since the facility is an in-network provider for multiple payers including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tricare, patients can expect coverage under the No Surprises Act, which protects against unexpected balance billing for emergency or non-emergency services. It is advisable to review the itemized bill for any unbundled codes or services not rendered to ensure the final charge reflects the agreed-upon negotiated rate rather than the full chargemaster list price.