Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 47562 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 47562
- Insurance Median: $5,843
- Cash Discount Price: $6,492
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.95x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $3,094 - $5,843 | 50% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,212 - $6,872 | 52% |
| Aetna | $3,311 - $5,843 | 54% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $3,311 | 54% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $5,843 | 95% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $5,843 | 95% |
| Cigna | $5,843 | 95% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a laparoscopic gallbladder removal at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Kansas, the cash price is $6,492, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $5,843. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, particularly if your plan has a high deductible or if the insurer's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. The data indicates a median negotiated payment of $5,843 across seven payers, with the lowest allowed amount being $3,094 from UnitedHealthcare and the highest at $6,872 from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Because commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract markups, it is advisable to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can lower the final cost significantly.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is important to understand that commercial rates are frequently compared against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated chargemaster list. In this case, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $6,176.47, and the facility's cash rate of $6,492 is slightly higher than the Medicare baseline, suggesting the facility is charging close to the true cost of care rather than applying a large commercial markup. If you receive a bill that appears higher than these figures, you should request a detailed, itemized audit to check for errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Additionally, if you are an out-of-network patient, the No Sur