Blood test, ferritin (iron stores)
Facility: Northeast Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 82728 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82728
- Insurance Median: $158
- Cash Discount Price: $175
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.59x 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 1159% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1059%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $12 | 88% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $12 - $20 | 88% |
| Node Champva | $12 | 88% |
| Medicare (plans) | $13 | 95% |
| Node Hospice Non Par Agree | $14 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 - $332 | 103% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $14 - $135 | 103% |
| Blue Pathway/Pathway X | $14 | 103% |
| Blue Prefrerred | $14 | 103% |
| Veterans Eval Services | $14 | 103% |
| Node Devoted Health McR Adv | $14 | 103% |
| Blue Access | $14 | 103% |
| Node VA | $14 | 103% |
| Centurion Correctional | $17 | 125% |
| Us Department of Labor | $17 | 125% |
| Home State Exchange | $25 | 183% |
| Naphcare | $26 | 191% |
| Immergrun | $27 | 198% |
| Self Pay | $106 - $244 | 778% |
| Cigna | $151 - $173 | 1108% |
| Aetna | $165 - $370 | 1211% |
| Access Health Services, LLC | $288 | 2113% |
| Healthlink | $332 - $355 | 2436% |
| Multiplan | $332 - $355 | 2436% |
| Coventry Wc | $355 | 2605% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out-of-pocket, the most critical information is that the cash price for this blood test is $175, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $443. While commercial insurance plans often pay much higher negotiated rates due to administrative overhead and contract structures, self-pay patients can sometimes save money by paying the cash price directly rather than relying on insurance, which may result in higher out-of-pocket costs if their deductible hasn't been met. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if a "prompt-pay" discount is available if the cash price is not the lowest option for your specific situation.
The facility's cash rate of $175 is notably higher than the state of Missouri average for this service, though it remains well below the gross charges listed on the hospital's billing statement. Commercial payers negotiate rates that vary widely; for instance, Aetna pays up to $370 while Medicaid/KanCare pays as low as $12, illustrating how insurance contracts can result in payments far exceeding the cash price. Because Medicare rates serve as the federal baseline for cost, the commercial rates observed here reflect the markup inherent in private insurance contracts, and patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not paying more than necessary.