Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $5,415
- Cash Discount Price: $4,415
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.62x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $5,003 | 150% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $5,297 | 158% |
| Aetna | $5,297 | 158% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $5,415 | 162% |
| Cigna | $5,592 | 167% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $5,592 | 167% |
| First Health-All Plans | $5,592 | 167% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's negotiated rates are consistently $5,415 across all seven commercial payers, including Rural Carriers, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. This negotiated amount is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $4,415, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in insurance billing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership, the data indicates that the commercial negotiated rate is 1.6 times the Medicare amount of $3,342.87. Patients should be aware that while in-network status protects against balance billing under the No Surprises Act, the actual price paid depends heavily on whether the patient meets their deductible; if the deductible is not met, the patient is responsible for the full negotiated rate of $5,415, which is notably higher than the cash price.
To potentially lower costs, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims. It is also important to verify if the facility's rates align with local benchmarks, as commercial rates often exceed the Medicare baseline due to markup dynamics. Given that the facility is located in a specific geographic area (ZIP 66935), the $5,415 negotiated rate represents the standard allowed amount for this procedure within the network, but patients should request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or errors exist before finalizing payment.