Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: University Of Kansas Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $5,290
- Cash Discount Price: $3,740
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.58x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Devoted [503200068] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Aetna | $3,055 - $4,277 | 91% |
| Humana | $3,055 - $3,116 | 91% |
| Tricare | $3,055 | 91% |
| Lasso Healthcare [503999926] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $3,055 - $5,290 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $3,055 - $4,888 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $3,055 - $3,116 | 91% |
| Triwest [503201703] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,146 - $6,553 | 94% |
| Allwell [503200078] | $3,146 | 94% |
| American Health Plans [503200968] | $3,208 | 96% |
| Centurion [5032000966] | $3,971 | 119% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $5,193 | 155% |
| Gallagher Bassett [5032000103] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Prime Health Services [503999912] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Alt Bnsf Railway Co [503301503] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Sedgwick Claims Management Services [53201618] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Centivo [5032000982] | $5,804 | 174% |
| Wellfit [503301514] | $5,804 | 174% |
| Oscar [503201609] | $5,804 | 174% |
| 6 Degrees Health [503999050] | $5,957 - $7,637 | 178% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $6,110 | 183% |
| Occunet [503999930] | $6,415 | 192% |
| Fort Hays State Student Athletes [5032000960] | $6,415 | 192% |
| Multiplan [503200057] | $8,248 | 247% |
| Claimdoc [503301509] | $8,248 | 247% |
| Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions [503301513] | $9,165 | 274% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at University Of Kansas Hospital, the cash median price is $3,740, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $18,699. While the hospital's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $3,055 to $9,165, the cash price remains the most transparent benchmark for patients. It is important to note that for individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost.
When evaluating the value of this service, it is helpful to compare the facility's pricing against the Medicare benchmark, which stands at $3,342.87. The cash median of $3,740 is approximately 112% of the Medicare rate, indicating a reasonable markup compared to the typical commercial range of 200% to 300%. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at this facility, they may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount, though the No Surprises Act offers protections for emergency and non-emergency services. To avoid unexpected costs, patients should request a detailed, itemized billing audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.