Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Great Plains Of Sabetha
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $2,243
- Cash Discount Price: $3,545
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.67x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $849 - $2,838 | 25% |
| Aetna | $857 - $5,512 | 26% |
| Celtic Comm Exchange-All Other Plans | $1,061 - $3,547 | 32% |
| Great West Healthcare-All Plans | $1,388 - $4,638 | 42% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,518 - $5,457 | 45% |
| Century/Wppa/Providers-All Plans | $1,551 - $5,184 | 46% |
| Cigna | $1,551 - $5,184 | 46% |
| Humana | $1,551 - $5,184 | 46% |
| Multiplan-Phcs-All Plans | $1,551 - $5,184 | 46% |
| Federated Mutual Ins-All Plans | $1,567 - $5,239 | 47% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,633 - $5,457 | 49% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,633 - $5,457 | 49% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Great Plains of Sabetha, the cash price is $3,545, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87, indicating a markup typical of commercial pricing structures. While the facility offers a negotiated rate of $2,243 for in-network patients, this amount is still above the cash price, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket might be more cost-effective for those with high-deductible plans or no insurance. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting a deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs than the cash option. Additionally, asking the hospital for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts prior to check-in could further reduce the final bill, as these incentives often bypass standard insurance billing cycles.
It is important to understand that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to the administrative costs and contract dynamics involved in insurance billing. In this case, the lowest negotiated rate found is $849, but this varies widely across different payers, with some plans allowing up to $5,457. If you are an out-of-network patient, be aware that balance billing could occur where the provider bills you for the difference between their full chargemaster rate and what your insurance pays, though the No Surprises Act may protect you from such surprises for emergency or non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a detailed, itemized bill before paying. Over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, such as unbundled