Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $60
- Cash Discount Price: $134
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.40x 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 440% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 340%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $44 | 323% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $44 | 323% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $44 - $240 | 323% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $44 | 323% |
| Humana | $44 - $60 | 323% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $51 - $53 | 374% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $69 | 506% |
| Aetna | $74 | 543% |
| Cigna | $74 | 543% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $100 | 734% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $100 | 734% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $105 | 770% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $121 | 888% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Amberwell Atchison Association, the cash price is $134.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to most insurance plans, with the lowest allowed amount being $44 and the highest reaching $121 across 13 different payers. While the facility is located in Atchison, Kansas, the data does not provide specific county or state average benchmarks for comparison. However, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums, meaning the cash price can sometimes be the most cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those who have already met their out-of-pocket maximums.
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 billed separately. To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is recommended to explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total cost. If you do receive a bill, always request a full itemized statement to verify that no services were unbundled or double-charged, and do not accept summary invoices as the final amount owed.