Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $4,559
- Cash Discount Price: $4,850
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.36x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $3,395 - $4,850 | 102% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,801 | 114% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $4,365 | 131% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $4,559 | 136% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $4,608 | 138% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $4,608 | 138% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4,608 | 138% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 29881, representing a knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair, Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS, lists a cash median price of $4,850.00. This cash rate is notably higher than the state of Kansas average, which is $4,365.00. While the facility offers a negotiated rate of $4,559.00 for in-network patients, this amount remains above the state average. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying the cash price directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill.
Regarding billing transparency, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates are often inflated compared to the true cost of care, which is best represented by the Medicare benchmark. For this procedure, the Medicare amount is $3,342.87, and the facility's negotiated rate is approximately 136% of the Medicare rate, which falls within the typical range of 120% to 150% considered fair. If a patient receives a bill significantly higher than the allowed amount, it may indicate balance billing, where the provider charges the difference between the full chargemaster and the insurance payment. To protect against unexpected costs, patients should request a full itemized bill before paying and dispute any errors in writing, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through a formal audit.