Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Mercy Specialty Hospital Southeast Kansas
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $3,099
- Cash Discount Price: $10,463
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.93x 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 | $297 - $3,099 | 9% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $493 - $3,785 | 15% |
| Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] | $493 | 15% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $540 | 16% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,766 - $3,099 | 83% |
| Aetna | $2,889 - $3,099 | 86% |
| Humana | $2,889 - $3,159 | 86% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $3,034 | 91% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $3,034 | 91% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Medicare (plans) | $3,099 | 93% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Tricare | $3,099 | 93% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Cigna | $3,099 | 93% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $3,099 | 93% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $3,159 | 94% |
| Centivo Contracted [320505] | $3,159 | 94% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $5,369 | 161% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $5,369 | 161% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $5,369 | 161% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $5,369 | 161% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $5,369 | 161% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $5,369 | 161% |
| Health Choice Contracted [320166] | $5,516 | 165% |
| Providrs Care Network Contracted [320484] | $6,002 | 180% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Mercy Specialty Hospital Southeast Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $10,463, while the lowest negotiated rates across 35 payers range from $297 for Medicaid/KanCare to $6,002 for specific contracted plans. Notably, the cash price is significantly lower than the median negotiated amount of $3,099 reported for many commercial plans, meaning patients with high-deductible or out-of-pocket plans might save money by paying cash directly rather than relying on insurance, which often results in higher allowed amounts due to administrative overhead. While the facility's cash rate is competitive, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some insurers may negotiate rates higher than the cash price depending on network tiering and contract dynamics.
To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a prompt-pay discount if paying in full upfront, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing costly insurance claims processing. Additionally, patients should insist on an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility, the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from paying the difference between the provider's chargemaster and the insurer's allowed amount, so patients should dispute any surprise charges in writing rather than paying immediately out of fear.