Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Children'S Mercy South
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $104
- Cash Discount Price: $77
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.63x 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 763% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 663%). 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 | $12 - $108 | 88% |
| Healthy Blue | $15 - $37 | 110% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $16 | 117% |
| Home State Health | $33 | 242% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $66 - $118 | 484% |
| Cigna | $77 - $111 | 565% |
| Medica | $93 | 682% |
| Aetna | $96 - $109 | 704% |
| Orscheln | $104 | 763% |
| Health Midwest Comprehensive Care | $104 | 763% |
| Wppa Providrs Care | $104 | 763% |
| Wellfit/Centrus | $104 | 763% |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | $104 | 763% |
| Centivo | $104 | 763% |
| Quiktrip | $104 | 763% |
| Humana | $106 | 778% |
| Coxhealth Network | $118 | 866% |
| Coventry Health Care Of Kansas | $118 | 866% |
| Mercy Health | $120 | 880% |
| Multiplan | $122 | 895% |
| American Healthcare Alliance | $136 | 998% |
| Healthlink | $141 | 1034% |
| National Preferred Provider Network | $144 | 1056% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This blood test for ferritin (iron stores) at Children's Mercy South in Overland Park, KS, has a gross charge of $160.00, with a cash median price of $77.00. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $12 to $144, often exceeding the cash rate. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit, the cash price is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $104.00, and patients should verify if their specific plan has a deductible before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, it is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charges and the actual amounts paid by insurance. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still request a prompt-pay discount if paying cash upfront, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, you should demand a full itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.