Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 47562 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 47562
- Insurance Median: $9,073
- Cash Discount Price: $9,550
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.47x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $7,648 | 124% |
| Humana | $8,690 | 141% |
| Aetna | $8,834 - $9,550 | 143% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $9,072 | 147% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9,072 | 147% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $9,550 | 155% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) procedure at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, the cash price is $9,550, which matches the facility's gross chargemaster rate. This amount is significantly higher than the state of Kansas average, as indicated by the 1.5x multiplier relative to the Medicare benchmark of $6,176.47. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $8,834 to $9,550, these figures often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates frequently include administrative overhead and do not represent the true cost of care, which is better reflected by the Medicare benchmark.
Patients should be aware that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Medicine Lodge, KS, the cash rate of $9,550 is the baseline for self-pay. If you have insurance, your allowed amount could still be higher than the cash price, potentially leading to unexpected balance billing if you are out-of-network, though the No Surprises Act protects emergency care at in-network facilities. To minimize costs, you should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can often reduce the bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, request a full itemized audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.