Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $583
- Cash Discount Price: $1,720
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.17x 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 - All Plans | $469 | 14% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $469 | 14% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $469 - $571 | 14% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $469 | 14% |
| Humana | $469 - $629 | 14% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $563 | 17% |
| Cigna | $583 | 17% |
| Aetna | $632 | 19% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $707 | 21% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $707 | 21% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $751 | 22% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $892 | 27% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,027 | 31% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Amberwell Atchison Association, the cash price of $1,720 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged by most insurance payers, which range from $469 to $1,027 depending on the plan. While the facility's cash rate is higher than the state average for this procedure, it remains the most affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed the cash price. To minimize costs, patients should verify if their specific plan falls into the lower tier of the $469–$571 range, but be aware that even in-network coverage may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses if the deductible has not yet been met.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like emergency care or specific lab tests are provided by out-of-network providers. Consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can often reduce the total amount owed by 20% to 50% compared to the standard cash rate.