Total knee replacement
Facility: Children'S Mercy South
Billing Code: 27447 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 27447
- Insurance Median: $2,533
- Cash Discount Price: $1,886
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.19x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,214 - $2,589 | 9% |
| Healthy Blue | $1,295 - $1,810 | 10% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,307 | 10% |
| Wppa Providrs Care | $1,492 | 11% |
| Healthlink | $1,667 | 13% |
| Health Midwest Comprehensive Care | $1,708 | 13% |
| Home State Health | $1,810 | 14% |
| American Healthcare Alliance | $1,823 | 14% |
| Quiktrip | $2,032 | 15% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $2,071 - $2,682 | 16% |
| Medica | $2,291 | 17% |
| Wellfit/Centrus | $2,362 | 18% |
| Centivo | $2,433 | 19% |
| Humana | $2,525 | 19% |
| Orscheln | $2,552 | 19% |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | $2,570 | 20% |
| Aetna | $2,590 - $3,060 | 20% |
| Multiplan | $2,669 | 20% |
| Mercy Health | $2,868 | 22% |
| Coxhealth Network | $2,907 | 22% |
| Cigna | $3,129 | 24% |
| Coventry Health Care Of Kansas | $3,274 | 25% |
| National Preferred Provider Network | $3,458 | 26% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 27447 (Total knee replacement) at Children's Mercy South in Overland Park, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,886. This rate is significantly lower than the gross charge of $3,929 and represents a substantial discount compared to the Medicare benchmark of $13,116.76. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Healthy Blue range from $1,214 to $2,682, patients should be aware that cash-paying can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance if the patient's deductible has not yet been met. In such cases, the out-of-pocket cost for the cash price may be lower than the patient's responsibility under their specific plan, especially given that the negotiated rates often include administrative overheads not present in direct cash transactions.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. It is crucial to request a self-pay classification and a waiver of insurance submission before check-in to ensure the facility applies these cash rates rather than submitting a claim that could void the discount. Additionally, patients should avoid accepting summary bills and instead demand a full itemized statement to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have inflated the total. By comparing the facility's cash and negotiated rates against the Medicare benchmark, consumers can make informed decisions about whether to pay out-of-pocket or utilize their insurance coverage.