Total knee replacement
Facility: Hiawatha Community Hospital
Billing Code: 27447 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 27447
- Insurance Median: $1,583
- Cash Discount Price: $2,767
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.12x 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 $13,116.76 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 | $1,056 - $1,720 | 8% |
| Aetna | $1,056 - $1,662 | 8% |
| Humana | $1,056 | 8% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,094 | 8% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $1,267 | 10% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $1,406 - $4,128 | 11% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $1,492 | 11% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $1,583 | 12% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $1,689 | 13% |
| Preferred Hlth - All Plans | $1,892 | 14% |
| Cigna | $2,742 | 21% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $2,994 | 23% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a total knee replacement at Hiawatha Community Hospital in Hiawatha, KS, the cash price is $2,767, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major insurers like UnitedHealthcare ($1,056–$1,720) and Aetna ($1,056–$1,662). This cash rate is also notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $13,116.76, indicating a substantial markup on commercial contracts. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can exceed the actual cost of care. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price directly might result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to your insurance's negotiated allowed amount, provided you have not yet met your deductible.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills can obscure individual charges or unbundled services. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days. Additionally, verify that your specific plan is in-network and check your deductible status, as assuming an in-network rate is the best price can lead to unexpected costs if your plan has not covered the service. Finally, if you receive a bill that seems inconsistent with the data above, do not accept a verbal dispute resolution; instead, request a written itemized audit to identify any errors, double-billing, or services not rendered