Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $473
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.14x 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 | $450 | 13% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $468 - $472 | 14% |
| Aetna | $468 | 14% |
| Providrs Care | $662 | 20% |
| Tricare | $2,112 | 63% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,893 - $4,098 | 116% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc, the negotiated rates vary significantly by payer, ranging from $450 for UnitedHealthcare to $4,098 for Blue Cross Blue Shield. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $473, which is notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87, reflecting the standard administrative markup inherent in commercial contracts. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit in Kansas, patients should be aware that cash-pay options are not listed in this report; however, asking for self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling can often result in substantial savings, especially if your insurance deductible has not yet been met.
To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, it is critical to request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Since the facility is in-network for most major payers, the No Surprises Act generally protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at this location, though you should still verify your specific plan's allowed amounts. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, remember that while cash rates are not disclosed here, they are frequently lower than the commercial negotiated rates, making upfront payment a viable strategy to reduce overall costs for this procedure.