Hip or knee replacement (inpatient stay)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 470 (MS-DRG)
- CPT Billing Code: 470
- Insurance Median: $19,908
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.42x 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 $14,044.15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medica | $10,639 - $10,731 | 76% |
| Aetna | $12,420 - $18,538 | 88% |
| Healthchoice Of Ok | $21,277 | 152% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $21,783 | 155% |
| Smarthealth | $24,133 | 172% |
| Humana | $25,665 | 183% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a hip or knee replacement at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the facility's negotiated rates range from $10,639 to $25,665 depending on your specific insurance plan. While the median negotiated rate of $19,908 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $14,044, it remains lower than the highest negotiated rates found in the state of Kansas. For patients with high-deductible plans, it is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. We recommend contacting the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by offering immediate liquidity incentives.
To ensure you are paying the lowest possible amount, avoid accepting summary bills that only show broad category totals; instead, request a full itemized CPT-coded statement to identify any unbundled charges or services not rendered. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, a systematic review of your line-by-line charges is the most effective way to reduce medical debt. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you should verify your deductible status before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. Always compare your facility's rates against local averages and demand written records for any dispute resolution rather than relying on verbal assurances.