Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Hiawatha Community Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $706
- Cash Discount Price: $1,720
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.21x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $468 | 14% |
| Aetna | $469 - $708 | 14% |
| Humana | $469 | 14% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $469 - $683 | 14% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $563 | 17% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $634 | 19% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $704 | 21% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $751 | 22% |
| Preferred Hlth - All Plans | $762 | 23% |
| Cigna | $993 | 30% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,027 | 31% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,196 | 36% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $1,720 | 51% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Hiawatha Community Hospital in Hiawatha, KS, the cash price is $1,720.00, which matches the facility's gross chargemaster rate. This cash price is significantly lower than the state average for this procedure, as indicated by the 20% variance compared to Medicare benchmarks. While many patients assume insurance will result in lower costs, the data shows that for this specific service, the cash rate is already at the maximum allowed amount for most payers, with negotiated rates ranging from $468 to $1,720 depending on the insurer. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without current coverage may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than facing a balance bill for the difference between the insurer's allowed amount and the full list price.
To minimize potential financial exposure, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling their visit, as hospitals often offer additional reductions for upfront payments that bypass insurance billing cycles. It is also critical to obtain a full itemized bill containing specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled charges or services not rendered. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network provider or unexpected ancillary services, patients should not pay immediately out of fear of credit damage; instead, they should dispute the bill with their insurer and request a No Surprises Act audit to ensure compliance with federal protections against surprise billing.