Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 47562 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 47562
- Insurance Median: $3,885
- Cash Discount Price: $2,689
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.63x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $242 - $7,293 | 4% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,500 - $4,826 | 24% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,500 - $4,826 | 24% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $1,500 - $4,826 | 24% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) procedure at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS, the facility's cash price of $2,689.00 is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $3,885.00 paid by commercial insurers. This gap highlights a common billing dynamic where commercial contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate the final cost for patients with high-deductible plans. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network allowances can vary significantly between payers. In this case, the lowest commercial negotiated rate observed was $242 for Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is substantially lower than the facility's cash price, suggesting that for some plans, insurance coverage may result in a lower out-of-pocket expense than paying cash upfront.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount from the billing department before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, it is crucial to obtain a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be disputed. When evaluating the facility's pricing against the broader market, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $6,176.47, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for "true cost." Comparing the facility's cash rate to this Medicare amount reveals that the cash price is approximately 43% of the Medicare benchmark, indicating a significant markup reduction compared to standard commercial