Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 47562 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 47562
- Insurance Median: $1,247
- Cash Discount Price: $1,218
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.20x 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 $6,176.47 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 | $1,247 | 20% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $6,518 | 106% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) procedure at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, KS, the cash median price is $1,218.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $1,247.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital, the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, so no direct regional benchmarking is available in this report. Patients should note that while cash payments may appear cheaper than insurance negotiated rates, this depends heavily on individual plan deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final cost.
When evaluating pricing, it is important to understand that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures, even though insurance plans provide a ceiling on charges. In this case, the Medicare benchmark amount for this service is $6,176.47, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for fair pricing; commercial rates are typically marked up significantly above this figure. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $1,218.00 might be more cost-effective than your insurance covering the service, provided you have not yet met your deductible. Always request a detailed, itemized bill before paying to ensure all charges are accurate and to identify any potential errors that could be disputed.