Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 47562 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 47562
- Insurance Median: $9,172
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.48x 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 $6,176.47 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9,172 | 148% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) procedure at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $9,172.00, which is 50% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $6,176.47. This markup reflects the administrative costs and contract dynamics typical of in-network billing, where rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit church, patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can range from 20% to 50% off the billed amount when paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims.
If you choose to use insurance, be cautious of balance billing, which occurs when an out-of-network provider bills you for the difference between their full chargemaster rate and what your insurer pays. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still arise from ancillary services like lab work or emergency physicians. To avoid these surprises, always request a full itemized CPT-coded bill before paying, rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual line items. If you receive a bill that appears inflated, dispute it in writing with the billing supervisor rather than settling verbally, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be corrected through