Bunion correction surgery
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 28296 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 28296
- Insurance Median: $3,371
- Cash Discount Price: $2,539
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,379 - $3,460 | 41% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,703 - $4,272 | 51% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,703 - $4,272 | 51% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $1,703 - $4,272 | 51% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a bunion correction surgery at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS, the cash median price is $2,539, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $3,371. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this cash price. It is important to note that commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicaid/KanCare have negotiated ranges starting as high as $3,460 and $4,272 respectively, meaning the cash option could save money for those who do not have insurance or have already met their deductibles.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual charges and potential errors. Additionally, ask the hospital about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you pay in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims. Since the facility is in-network for several major payers, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at this location, but you should still verify your specific plan's allowed amount to confirm that the negotiated rate aligns with your coverage.