Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Holton Community Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $3,083
- Cash Discount Price: $2,742
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 | $469 - $5,759 | 14% |
| Aetna | $469 - $5,759 | 14% |
| Humana | $474 - $3,083 | 14% |
| Kansas Superior Select - All Plans | $479 - $3,113 | 14% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $494 - $5,759 | 15% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,801 | 114% |
| Preferred Health Fn Select - All Other Plans | $4,780 | 143% |
| Preferred Health Freedom | $4,780 | 143% |
| Preferred Health Professionals | $4,780 | 143% |
| Wppa Providers - All Plans | $5,471 | 164% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Holton Community Hospital in Holton, Kansas, the cash median price is $2,742, while the facility's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $469 to $5,759. It is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers often exceed the cash price. The facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the gross charge of $3,656, and patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the lowest possible rate.
This procedure is billed under CPT code 29881, and the facility's cash price of $2,742 is compared against the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for healthcare costs. While the data does not provide specific county or state average figures for this procedure, the significant gap between the cash price and the highest negotiated rates highlights the importance of verifying your specific plan's allowed amount. Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, and they should request a full itemized bill to identify any errors or unbundled charges before finalizing payment.