Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $94
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 63.83x 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 6383% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 6283%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 6383% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
The cash price for this blood test, ferritin (iron stores) procedure at Regional Medical Center in Manchester, IA is $94. This facility, a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, lists a negotiated rate of $870 with Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri, while the Medicare benchmark for this service is $13.63. Although the cash rate of $94 is higher than the Medicare amount of $13.63, it is significantly lower than the negotiated rate of $870, which may be preferable for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum.
Patients should be aware that the facility's cash rate of $94 is substantially lower than the state average and county average for this procedure, making it a cost-effective option for self-pay. However, because the negotiated rate of $870 exceeds the cash price, paying out-of-pocket could result in lower total costs if your insurance deductible has not been satisfied. To ensure you receive the lowest possible price, you should ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which could further reduce the $94 cash rate, and request a full itemized bill to verify there are no unbundled charges or services not rendered.