Ferritin Level (Iron Stores Blood Test)
CPT 82728 measures ferritin, the primary marker of iron stores in your body. It is the single most useful test for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. Medicare pays approximately $10 to $14 for this test, but providers charge an average of $76.78. When your doctor orders an "iron workup," that is not one test. It is typically ferritin (82728) plus serum iron (83540) plus TIBC (83550), generating three separate charges that total $150 or more at provider rates. Direct-to-consumer labs offer the same iron panel for $30 to $50.
CPT 82728 at a Glance
- Medicare CLFS rate: ~$10 to $14
- Average provider charge: $76.78
- Markup: ~5x to 8x over Medicare rate
- Direct-to-consumer price: $15 to $35
- What it measures: Iron stores in the body
- Beneficiaries (2023): 1.9 million
- Fee schedule: Clinical Laboratory (CLFS)
- Rate type: National (no geographic adjustment)
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How Lab Pricing Works (Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule)
Unlike physician services that use RVUs and geographic adjustments, lab tests are priced under the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). The CLFS sets a single national rate for each lab test. There are no RVU components and no geographic cost adjustments. A ferritin test costs Medicare the same amount regardless of where the lab is located.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Medicare CLFS Rate | ~$10 to $14 |
| Average Provider Charge | $76.78 |
| Markup Ratio | ~5x to 8x |
| Pricing Method | National rate (CLFS), no geographic variation |
Lab tests are priced under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, not the Physician Fee Schedule. Medicare lab rates are set nationally and do not vary by geographic location.
What Does a Ferritin Test Measure?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside your cells. A blood ferritin level reflects how much iron your body has in reserve. It is the most sensitive single test for iron deficiency and is also used to detect iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.
What Ferritin Levels Mean
- Below 30 ng/mL: Iron deficiency (highly specific)
- 30 to 100 ng/mL: Normal range (may vary by lab)
- 100 to 300 ng/mL: Normal to high normal
- Above 300 ng/mL: Elevated (possible iron overload or inflammation)
Common Reasons for Testing
- Fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath
- Low hemoglobin found on a CBC
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Monitoring iron supplementation
- Screening for hemochromatosis (iron overload)
An important nuance: ferritin is also an "acute phase reactant," meaning it rises with inflammation, infection, or liver disease regardless of iron status. If you have an inflammatory condition and your ferritin is normal or high, that does not necessarily rule out iron deficiency. In these cases, additional tests (serum iron, TIBC) may be genuinely needed. For straightforward iron deficiency evaluation in an otherwise healthy person, ferritin alone is often sufficient.
Where to Get a Ferritin Test for Less
Ferritin testing is widely available and highly automated. The difference in pricing between facilities is enormous for what is essentially the same automated chemistry test:
Direct-to-Consumer Labs: $15 to $35 (ferritin alone) or $30 to $50 (full iron panel)
Services like Ulta Lab Tests, Walk-In Lab, and Jason Health offer ferritin testing at a fraction of hospital pricing. Many also offer a bundled "iron panel" (ferritin + iron + TIBC) for $30 to $50, compared to $155+ at provider rates. You order online, visit a local Quest or LabCorp site for the blood draw, and get results electronically.
Independent Labs (with doctor's order): $15 to $30
If your doctor orders an iron workup, ask for the order to go to an independent lab (Quest or LabCorp) rather than the hospital's in-house lab. The same test on the same analyzer costs dramatically less at an independent lab.
Hospital Outpatient Labs: $50 to $120+
Hospital labs charge the most for ferritin testing. If you are paying out of pocket or have not met your deductible, a ferritin test at a hospital lab can cost 3 to 5 times more than at an independent lab. If your doctor is in a hospital system, the lab order may automatically route to the hospital lab. Ask to redirect it.
What Insured Patients Actually Pay for Ferritin Testing
Insurance companies negotiate lab rates close to Medicare CLFS rates. What you owe depends on your plan:
| Your Situation | What You Likely Pay | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Copay plan (deductible met or N/A) | $0 to $10 | Many plans cover lab work at 100% after deductible |
| Coinsurance plan (deductible met) | $2 to $7 | 20% of negotiated rate ($10 to $35) |
| High-deductible plan (deductible NOT met) | $10 to $50 | Full negotiated rate applied to deductible |
| Medicare Part B | $0 | Medicare covers clinical lab tests at 100% (no coinsurance) |
Common Billing Problems with CPT 82728
Full iron panel ordered when ferritin alone was sufficient
For a straightforward evaluation of iron deficiency in an otherwise healthy person, ferritin alone is often sufficient. A low ferritin (below 30 ng/mL) is highly specific for iron deficiency. Ordering the full panel (ferritin + iron + TIBC) adds $75+ in charges. The additional tests are most useful when ferritin is borderline, the patient has inflammation, or the clinical picture is unclear. If your ferritin came back clearly low and you were also charged for serum iron and TIBC, the additional tests may not have changed your diagnosis or treatment.
Iron tests repeated too frequently
If you are taking iron supplements, ferritin levels take 4 to 6 weeks to change meaningfully. Retesting sooner than every 8 to 12 weeks is usually not clinically useful. If you see multiple ferritin charges within a short period, ask whether the repeat testing was clinically indicated or just a default reorder in the system.
Ferritin added to routine annual blood work without clear indication
Ferritin is not part of standard routine lab panels (CMP, CBC, lipid panel). If it appears on your annual checkup lab bill without a specific reason (you are not anemic, fatigued, or at risk), it may have been ordered reflexively. At $77 in provider charges, it is worth asking why it was included, especially if you are paying against a deductible.
Related Lab Codes (The Iron Panel)
| Code | Description | Medicare CLFS | Avg. Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82728 | Ferritin Level | ~$10-14 | $76.78 |
| 83540 | Serum Iron | ~$8-10 | ~$40 |
| 83550 | TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity) | ~$8-10 | ~$40 |
| 85025 | CBC with Differential (includes hemoglobin) | ~$8-10 | ~$30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a ferritin test cost without insurance?
Without insurance, a ferritin test (CPT 82728) costs $40 to $120 at hospitals and clinics, with the national average at $76.78. Direct-to-consumer labs offer ferritin testing for $15 to $35. Medicare pays approximately $10 to $14 under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule.
Why does an "iron panel" generate so many separate charges?
An "iron panel" or "iron workup" is not a single CPT code. It is typically three separate tests: ferritin (82728, ~$77), serum iron (83540, ~$40), and TIBC (83550, ~$40). Each has its own CPT code and generates a separate charge. At provider rates, the three tests total $155+. Some doctors also add a CBC (85025, ~$30). At a direct-to-consumer lab, the same panel costs $30 to $50 total.
Is ferritin alone enough to diagnose iron deficiency?
In many cases, yes. Ferritin below 30 ng/mL is highly specific for iron deficiency. For a straightforward evaluation in an otherwise healthy person, ferritin alone is often sufficient to confirm iron deficiency and start treatment. The full iron panel (adding serum iron and TIBC) is most useful when ferritin is borderline, the patient has chronic inflammation, or the clinical picture is unclear. Starting with ferritin alone can save $75+ in additional charges.
How much does a full iron panel cost compared to ferritin alone?
At average provider charges, ferritin alone costs $76.78. Adding serum iron ($40) and TIBC ($40) brings the total to roughly $155. Including a CBC ($30) brings it to $185+. At direct-to-consumer labs, a complete iron panel with all four tests costs $30 to $50 total. The price difference between hospital and direct-to-consumer pricing is one of the largest in lab testing.
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