Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $469
- Cash Discount Price: $986
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.14x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (plans) | $469 | 14% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $469 | 14% |
| Aetna | $469 | 14% |
| Humana | $469 | 14% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $469 | 14% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $469 | 14% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $469 - $634 | 14% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $634 | 19% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $1,521 | 45% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Girard Medical Center in Kansas, the facility's negotiated rates for commercial insurance plans range from $469 to $634, with a median negotiated amount of $469. This is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,644 and aligns closely with the state average for this procedure. While Medicare covers this service at a benchmark rate of $3,342.87, commercial payers operate under different contract structures that cap reimbursement well below the gross charge. Patients should note that while in-network insurance provides a ceiling on costs, the actual amount paid depends heavily on individual plan deductibles and co-pays, which can sometimes result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than the negotiated rate itself.
For patients without insurance or with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly may offer a more affordable option, as the cash median price is $986.00, which is lower than the median negotiated rate of $1,521.00. However, patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. It is important to request a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. By comparing the cash price against the Medicare benchmark and actively seeking prompt-pay incentives, patients can ensure they are paying a fair market value rather than the inflated chargemaster list price.