Cataract surgery with lens implant
Facility: Wamego Health Center
Billing Code: 66984 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 66984
- Insurance Median: $676
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.29x 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 $2,357.81 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 | $650 | 28% |
| Providrs Care | $667 | 28% |
| Aetna | $676 | 29% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $676 - $682 | 29% |
| Tricare | $1,730 | 73% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $3,554 - $3,741 | 151% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients undergoing cataract surgery with lens implant at Wamego Health Center in Wamego, KS, the financial landscape varies significantly depending on payment method. While the facility's median negotiated rate for in-network payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna is $676, the cash median is not listed in the current data. It is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be cheaper for patients with high-deductible plans if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though this specific comparison is unavailable here. Patients should always verify "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts directly with the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can bypass the administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.
When evaluating costs against federal benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $2,357.81. The data indicates a variance of 0.3 compared to Medicare, suggesting the facility's pricing structure is closely aligned with federal standards rather than significantly inflated. Although specific county or state average comparisons are not provided in the available dataset, the facility operates as a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure. Consumers are advised to request an itemized billing audit if they receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and any unexpected bills should be disputed in writing with the insurer rather than paid immediately.