Total knee replacement
Facility: Morris County Hospital
Billing Code: 27447 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 27447
- Insurance Median: $12,629
- Cash Discount Price: $9,140
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.96x 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 $13,116.76 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $5,941 | 45% |
| Choice Care Mcr Adv-All Plans | $5,941 | 45% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $5,941 - $15,234 | 45% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5,941 - $16,084 | 45% |
| Coventry Mcr | $5,941 | 45% |
| Cigna | $11,020 | 84% |
| Aetna | $13,650 | 104% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $13,711 | 105% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $13,711 | 105% |
| Providrs Care (Wppa)(Nexus)-All Plans | $22,851 | 174% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a total knee replacement at Morris County Hospital in Council Grove, KS, the cash price of $9,140 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $15,234. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $5,941 to $16,084, the cash rate remains the most transparent baseline for comparison. It is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be the most cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans, as the $9,140 cash price is lower than the median negotiated rate of $12,629. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed before insurance processing begins.
When evaluating the true cost of this procedure, it is essential to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this code is $13,116.76, which serves as the scientifically validated baseline for fair pricing; commercial negotiated rates typically average between 200% and 300% of this figure, while fair pricing is generally defined as 120% to 150%. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting the deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than paying the cash rate directly.