Inguinal hernia repair
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 49505 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 49505
- Insurance Median: $3,128
- Cash Discount Price: $2,550
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.86x 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 $3,657.95 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $710 - $4,250 | 19% |
| Aetna | $752 - $4,500 | 21% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $752 - $4,500 | 21% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $768 - $4,600 | 21% |
| First Health-All Plans | $793 - $4,750 | 22% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $793 - $4,750 | 22% |
| Cigna | $793 - $4,750 | 22% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Inguinal hernia repair procedure at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's cash price of $2,550 is lower than the state average for this service. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $752 to $4,750, these amounts often exceed the cash price, making self-pay a potentially more affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their coverage thresholds. The facility's cash rate is also significantly below the Medicare benchmark of $3,657.95, suggesting that the commercial negotiated rates may include administrative markups that are higher than the true cost of care.
Patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price can lead to unexpected costs. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% if settled upfront. Additionally, since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, it may offer additional financial assistance programs. Always request an itemized bill before finalizing payment to ensure all charges are accurate and to avoid balance billing, which is prohibited for emergency services under federal law.