Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $554
- Cash Discount Price: $4,487
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.17x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 10% |
| Providrs Care | $757 | 23% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the cash median price is $4,487.00, which is lower than the gross charge of $6,903.00. While the facility does not have a publicly listed negotiated rate for this specific service, the data indicates a median negotiated amount of $554.00 across payers, suggesting that insurance contracts may vary significantly or reflect different service components. Patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
When evaluating costs, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $3,342.87, and the cash price of $4,487.00 represents a markup relative to this federal baseline. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this exact CPT code, understanding that commercial rates often range from 200% to 300% of Medicare while fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% helps patients identify if a quoted rate is reasonable. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, you may be protected by the No Surprises Act, which bans