Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 29881 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 29881
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $4,758
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.26x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 26% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying cash directly, the most important thing to know is that self-pay rates can sometimes be significantly lower than what insurance companies negotiate, offering a potential savings opportunity if your plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. For this Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair at Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, the cash median rate is $4,758, while the median negotiated rate with Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri is $870. Although the cash price appears higher in this specific data point, it is crucial to ask the facility about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as hospitals may offer additional reductions for upfront payment that could lower the final amount owed.
The broader pricing context reveals that the facility's gross chargemaster rate for this procedure is $5,948, which serves as the base list price before any discounts are applied. This gross rate is compared against the state average, where the Medicare benchmark rate for this service is $3,342.87, providing a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price compared to the Medicare amount.