Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $4,798
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.44x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4,798 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $4,798.00, which is 40% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3,342.87. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit church, has a single payer with no variation in pricing plans. While the negotiated rate is set by contract, patients with high-deductible plans may find it beneficial to pay cash upfront, as cash prices can sometimes be lower than the insurance negotiated amount. It is important to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can significantly reduce the final cost by bypassing administrative fees and collection risks.
The pricing data reflects the standard commercial negotiation process where rates are often inflated by administrative overhead and claim processing costs. Although the facility is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield, patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under federal law, though unexpected charges can still occur from out-of-network ancillary services like emergency physicians or labs. To ensure transparency and avoid unexpected debt, consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying, verifying that all charges are accurate and that no services were unbundled or double-billed. Comparing this rate to the state average helps contextualize the markup, but the most effective way to manage costs remains understanding your specific deductible status and negotiating directly with the billing department for any available discounts.