Bunion correction surgery
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 28296 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 28296
- Insurance Median: $4,200
- Cash Discount Price: $4,799
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.26x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,049 | 31% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,049 - $3,325 | 31% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,049 - $3,055 | 31% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $3,055 - $5,290 | 91% |
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $3,116 | 93% |
| Allwell [503200078] | $3,146 | 94% |
| Humana | $3,223 | 96% |
| Tricare | $3,223 | 96% |
| Triwest [503201703] | $3,223 | 96% |
| Centurion [5032000966] | $3,971 | 119% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $4,430 | 133% |
| Prime Health Services [503999912] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Alt Bnsf Railway Co [503301503] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Sedgwick Claims Management Services [53201618] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Gallagher Bassett [5032000103] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Occunet [503999930] | $6,415 | 192% |
| Fort Hays State Student Athletes [5032000960] | $6,415 | 192% |
| 6 Degrees Health [503999050] | $7,637 | 228% |
| Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions [503301513] | $9,668 | 289% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients considering bunion correction surgery at the University of KS Health System Great Bend Campus, understanding the difference between cash prices and insurance negotiated rates is essential for budgeting. While the facility's cash median price is $4,799, commercial insurance plans typically negotiate rates ranging from $1,049 to $9,668 depending on the specific carrier and plan. It is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective than insurance for patients with high-deductible plans, as the negotiated rate may exceed the cash price. Additionally, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.
When evaluating the facility's pricing, it is crucial to compare rates against objective benchmarks rather than the hospital's inflated chargemaster list. The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $3,342.87, and the facility's cash rate is approximately 1.3 times the Medicare amount, which aligns with the typical range of 120% to 150% considered fair pricing. Patients should avoid accepting summary bills that obscure individual charges, as itemized audits can reveal errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, which are common in over 80% of hospital invoices. Furthermore, while the facility is in-network for many payers, patients must verify their specific deductible status before scheduling, as high negotiated rates may still result in significant out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not been met.