Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $493
- Cash Discount Price: $1,772
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.15x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $469 | 14% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $516 | 15% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $1,772.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87, representing a 10% difference. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead. In this case, the median negotiated rate across payers is $493.00, which is lower than the cash price, suggesting that using insurance might result in a lower out-of-pocket cost if the patient's deductible has been met. However, if a patient has a high-deductible plan where the deductible has not yet been satisfied, paying the cash price could be more financially advantageous than facing the full negotiated rate plus potential deductibles.
The facility serves two payers, Tricare and Ambetter / Centene, both with a single plan offering a fixed rate of $469.00 and $516.00 respectively. These negotiated amounts are well below the cash price, but patients must verify their specific plan status before scheduling to avoid unexpected costs. It is important to remember that hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for self-pay patients, which can further reduce the $1,772.00 cash price. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should always request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Given that over 80%