Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $3,237
- Cash Discount Price: $3,082
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $601 - $4,081 | 18% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,049 - $6,375 | 31% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,049 | 31% |
| Celtic | $1,070 - $4,932 | 32% |
| Healthy Blue | $1,070 - $3,237 | 32% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $1,075 | 32% |
| Cigna | $3,083 | 92% |
| Tricare | $3,083 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $3,083 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $3,083 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $3,237 | 97% |
| Corizon | $4,007 | 120% |
| Well Path Prison | $4,316 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $4,316 | 129% |
| Centurion | $4,624 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $4,778 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4,932 - $5,703 | 148% |
| Oha Networks | $5,132 | 154% |
| Worker Compensation | $5,290 | 158% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $3,082 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most major insurers, which range from $1,049 to $5,290 depending on the plan. While Medicare sets a benchmark of $3,342.87, commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield often negotiate amounts that exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket or utilizing a prompt-pay discount rather than relying on insurance. It is important to note that while the facility is a voluntary non-profit, the administrative costs associated with insurance billing can inflate the final allowed amount, so verifying the specific "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" rates before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected costs.
Patients should be aware that the data reflects a wide variance in what different insurers will allow, with some plans paying as little as $601 and others up to $5,703 for the same procedure. Because negotiated rates are often higher than the cash price due to multi-layered administrative structures and contract dynamics, consumers should not assume that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price. To ensure you are not overpaying, request a full itemized bill to review every code and service rendered, and if you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, you may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act. Always dispute any surprise charges in writing and compare the facility's rates against state averages to confirm fair pricing.