Bunion correction surgery
Facility: Kingman Healthcare Center
Billing Code: 28296 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 28296
- Insurance Median: $608
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.18x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Triwest | $470 | 14% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $608 | 18% |
| Healthy Blue | $608 | 18% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 28296, representing bunion correction surgery at Kingman Healthcare Center in Kansas, the negotiated rates for Triwest, Medicaid/KanCare, and Healthy Blue are all set at $608. This amount is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87, which serves as the federal baseline for the true cost of care. While commercial insurance contracts often result in higher payments due to administrative overhead and network tiering, patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost if the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. Since cash rates are not listed in this report, it is essential to contact the hospital directly before scheduling to inquire about these potential savings, as paying upfront can sometimes bypass the higher negotiated rates charged to insured members.
The facility, a Critical Access Hospital in Kingman, KS, has a single plan for each of the three payers listed, with no cash or median paid data available for comparison against state or county averages. Because the data does not include a cash price or a comparison to local market rates, patients cannot determine if the $608 negotiated rate is optimal for their specific situation without direct inquiry. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request an itemized bill to verify that no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Additionally, if any out-of-network ancillary services were provided, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing, so you should dispute any surprise charges immediately rather than accepting summary bills as final invoices.