Inguinal hernia repair
Facility: Meade District Hospital
Billing Code: 49505 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 49505
- Insurance Median: $5,003
- Cash Discount Price: $3,917
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.37x 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 $3,657.95 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5,003 | 137% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Inguinal hernia repair procedure at Meade District Hospital in Meade, KS, the cash price is $3,917.00, which matches the cash median for this service. This rate is significantly lower than the negotiated amount of $5,003.00 paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield, the single payer listed for this code. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. To maximize savings, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
The facility's pricing is evaluated against federal benchmarks, showing a ratio of 1.4 times the Medicare amount of $3,657.95. This indicates that the commercial cash rate is higher than the Medicare baseline, which serves as the objective standard for healthcare costs. Although specific county or state average data was not provided in the source information, the transparent listing of the cash price allows consumers to compare this specific charge against their own out-of-pocket estimates. If you receive a bill from this facility, ensure you request a full itemized statement to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit dispute.