Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $5,290
- Cash Discount Price: $1,398
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.58x 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 | $3,055 | 91% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $3,055 - $5,290 | 91% |
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $3,055 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $3,116 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,146 - $4,056 | 94% |
| 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% |
| Sedgwick Claims Management Services [53201618] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Prime Health Services [503999912] | $5,290 | 158% |
| Alt Bnsf Railway Co [503301503] | $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 the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair procedure at the University of KS Health System Great Bend Campus, the facility's cash price of $1,398 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $5,290 paid by insurance plans. While the facility's gross charge is $6,988, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that the facility is a Government Hospital District, which often influences pricing structures, and patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to potentially reduce the final bill.
When comparing this rate to broader benchmarks, the facility's cash price is notably lower than the state average, though specific county averages were not provided in this report. The Medicare benchmark for this service is $3,342.87, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating commercial pricing; commercial negotiated rates typically range from 200% to 300% of Medicare, whereas fair pricing is often defined between 120% and 150%. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled codes, you should request a formal itemized audit to identify errors, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through written dispute.