Total knee replacement
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 27447 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 27447
- Insurance Median: $21,040
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.60x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $21,040 | 160% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a total knee replacement at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas, the facility's negotiated rate is $21,040, which matches the lowest and highest values reported for this service. This rate is 1.6 times higher than the Medicare benchmark of $13,116.76, indicating a significant markup over the federal government's calculated cost baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit church, there is no publicly available cash or median paid data to compare directly against state or county averages. Patients with high-deductible plans should note that paying cash upfront might be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though specific cash rates are not listed for this procedure.
To minimize unexpected costs, consumers should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. If you receive a bill after using insurance, it is crucial to request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, so you should dispute any surprise charges immediately with your insurer rather than paying them out of fear of credit damage. Always confirm your deductible status and ensure you sign a waiver preventing automatic claims submission if you intend to pay cash directly.