Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $142
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.03x 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.
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 | $14 | 103% |
| Dean Health Plan | $14 | 103% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $14 | 103% |
| Healthpartners | $14 | 103% |
| Humana | $14 | 103% |
| Medica | $14 | 103% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $14 | 103% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $14 | 103% |
| Ucare Wi | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 | 103% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Oakleaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, Wisconsin, reports a cash median price of $142 for the blood test measuring ferritin (iron stores). This cash rate is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $158 and the state average, which stands at $125. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers are set at $14, this amount exceeds the cash price, suggesting that patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash rather than using insurance for this service.
For patients considering payment options, it is important to note that the facility's cash rate of $142 is higher than the county average of $125. Commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have a negotiated rate of $14, which is well below the cash price but may still result in out-of-pocket costs if the patient's deductible has not been met. Patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can sometimes bypass insurance administrative fees. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients can be confident that the final cost will not be inflated by unexpected charges from ancillary providers.