Bunion correction surgery
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 28296 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 28296
- Insurance Median: $476
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $476 | 14% |
| Kansas Health | $476 | 14% |
| Cigna | $476 | 14% |
| Medicare (plans) | $476 | 14% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $476 | 14% |
| Aetna | $476 | 14% |
| Kaiser | $476 | 14% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 28296, representing bunion correction surgery, the negotiated rates for in-network payers at Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City in Dodge City, KS, are consistently $476. This amount aligns exactly with the state and county average for this procedure, indicating no premium markup relative to local market standards. While the facility is an acute care hospital with a proprietary ownership structure, the pricing remains uniform across major insurers including Humana, Cigna, and Medicare, which allows a plan of 2. The facility's Medicare benchmark rate of $3,342.87 serves as a cost baseline; however, the commercial negotiated rate is significantly lower than the full chargemaster, reflecting standard industry pricing rather than an inflated list price.
Patients should be aware that while insurance typically caps costs at the negotiated rate of $476, paying cash upfront may offer a lower total if the facility offers a prompt-pay discount, which can range from 20% to 50% off the billed amount. To secure this potential savings, it is essential to request a self-pay classification and a prompt-pay discount before scheduling the appointment, as billing systems often default to insurance processing once a card is on file. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, meaning they should not be liable for unexpected charges from emergency physicians or lab services even if those specific providers are out-of-network. Always verify the exact self-pay or prompt-pay rates directly with the hospital's billing department prior to any procedure.