Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $18,129
- Cash Discount Price: $39,667
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.42x 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 $3,342.87 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 542% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 442%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa County Jail [1012104] | $551 | 16% |
| Jmpn Canopy Hn [1640000011] | $736 | 22% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $736 - $53,372 | 22% |
| Donor Network West [1008103] | $4,000 | 120% |
| Golden State-Network Mcare [1023127] | $4,158 - $16,316 | 124% |
| Tricare | $4,405 - $9,788 | 132% |
| Health Net-Network Mcare [1028127] | $4,528 - $17,767 | 135% |
| Aetna | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Alignment Health [1177113] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4,620 - $51,758 | 138% |
| Blue Shield-Network Mcare [1006127] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Care 1St Health Plan [1094113] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Caremore [1171113] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Covid19 Hrsa Uninsured Testing And Treatment Fund [1179012] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Easy Choice Health Plan [1083113] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Essence Healthcare [1049028] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Essence Healthcare [1049128] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Hospice Of East Bay [1085104] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Humana | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Scan-Network Mcare [1043127] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Veterans Administration [1051113] | $4,620 - $18,129 | 138% |
| Workers' Comp [1024005] | $5,072 - $11,227 | 152% |
| Generic Commercial/Indemnity [1017001] | $5,775 - $22,662 | 173% |
| Generic Hmo [1018103] | $5,775 - $22,662 | 173% |
| Generic Ppo [1021104] | $5,775 - $22,662 | 173% |
| Canopy Hn Hmo [1166103] | $8,455 - $33,176 | 253% |
| Blue Shield Hmo [1006103] | $15,244 - $16,356 | 456% |
| Blue Shield-Network [1006026] | $15,244 - $16,356 | 456% |
| Cigna | $16,526 - $21,513 | 494% |
| Blue Shield Ppo [1006104] | $16,575 - $21,400 | 496% |
| Brms [1091104] | $27,619 - $51,758 | 826% |
| Delta Health Systems [1032104] | $27,619 - $51,758 | 826% |
| Empire Plan [1092104] | $27,619 - $51,758 | 826% |
| Healthcomp [1089104] | $27,619 - $51,758 | 826% |
| United Behavioral Health [1048103] | $35,576 - $53,372 | 1064% |