Logo
Arkansas

Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Arkansas

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arkansas ranks among the most affordable states for orthopedic procedures, with healthcare costs running approximately 12% below the national average due to lower operational expenses and competitive provider markets. Patients seeking Knee Arthroscopy typically pay between $479 and $1,034, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $752 based on negotiated insurance rates from 99 active providers across the state. Arkansas residents can browse all available Knee Arthroscopy specialists through our comprehensive provider directory.

Average

$755

Median

$752

Lowest

$479

Highest

$1,034

Providers

99

National avg: $941Arkansas: $755

20% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Arkansas?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$1,138$1,894$2,60399
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$90$1,839$2,535109
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$85$746$1,042118
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$416$929$1,328117
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$85$840$1,236140
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$1,180$1,600113
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$433$887$1,074102
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$85$399$561111
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$461$734$1,04396
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$85$833$1,107109
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$294$596$790105

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 29881Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 29881 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 29881 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 29881 covers: the provider's professional fee for knee arthroscopy. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Top-Rated Hospitals in Arkansas

These hospitals in Arkansas are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.

5/5
85% would recommend371 patient surveys
5/5
76% would recommend113 patient surveys
4/5
91% would recommend939 patient surveys
4/5
90% would recommend364 patient surveys
ARKANSAS SURGICAL HOSPITAL

NO LITTLE ROCK, AR

4/5
89% would recommend540 patient surveys

Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.

Why Knee Arthroscopy Visit Costs Vary Across Arkansas

Arkansas healthcare costs run approximately 12% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and reduced operational expenses for medical practices. The state's rural geography creates significant disparities in both access and pricing between metropolitan areas and smaller communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Little Rock and Fayetteville concentrate most of Arkansas's orthopedic specialists, while rural counties often lack local knee arthroscopy options. Patients in rural areas may travel 50+ miles to reach a qualified arthroscopic surgeon, though they often find lower procedure costs outside major metropolitan areas. This geographic spread creates natural pricing variations across different regions of the state.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned orthopedic clinics in Arkansas typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices due to increased overhead and administrative costs. Major health systems like Baptist Health and CHI St. Vincent operate numerous locations throughout the state, while independent surgery centers often provide more competitive pricing. Ambulatory surgery centers have grown rapidly in Arkansas, offering lower-cost alternatives to hospital outpatient departments.

Insurance Market Competition in Arkansas

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas dominates the state's insurance market, reducing competitive pressure on negotiated rates compared to states with more carrier options. This market concentration creates relatively consistent pricing across different insurance plans but may limit aggressive rate negotiations. The lack of robust insurance competition contributes to more predictable but potentially higher costs for specialized procedures.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arkansas

With 99 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving a population of approximately 3 million, Arkansas maintains adequate specialist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution affects both pricing and wait times, with rural patients often experiencing longer delays but potentially lower costs when they do access care. Urban areas benefit from competitive pricing due to multiple provider options within reasonable driving distances.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Knee Arthroscopy Costs in Arkansas

What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Arkansas without insurance?

Without insurance, knee arthroscopy consultations in Arkansas range from $479 to $1,034, with a median cost of $752 based on negotiated rates from 99 providers statewide. Many orthopedic practices offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for patients who pay upfront, potentially reducing your out-of-pocket expense to $450-600 for an initial consultation.

Does Arkansas Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?

Arkansas traditional Medicaid covers medically necessary knee arthroscopy consultations and procedures for eligible recipients, but the state did not expand Medicaid coverage. This leaves many working adults without coverage options between traditional Medicaid and marketplace plans. Covered services include diagnostic visits, imaging studies, and arthroscopic procedures when deemed medically necessary by enrolled providers.

How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Arkansas?

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent surgery centers often charge less than hospital-owned clinics throughout Arkansas. Ask about cash-pay discounts, payment plans, and consider traveling to rural areas where overhead costs may be lower. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers in Arkansas may also provide referrals to discounted specialist care.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial knee arthroscopy consultations typically cost $479-$1,034 based on the complexity of your condition and time required for evaluation. Follow-up visits generally cost significantly less, usually 30-50% of the initial consultation fee, as they require less time and focus on reviewing progress rather than comprehensive evaluation.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Arkansas?

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can be used to pay for medically necessary knee arthroscopy consultations and procedures in Arkansas. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, effectively reducing your cost by your tax rate. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Arkansas?

While initial knee evaluations typically require in-person examination to assess joint stability and range of motion, some Arkansas orthopedic practices offer telehealth follow-up visits at reduced rates. Telemedicine consultations generally cost 20-40% less than office visits and can be useful for discussing imaging results, treatment plans, or post-operative care when physical examination isn't required.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$357
$2,976

Office visit (CPT 29881)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1California
Range: $80$8,767
$2,976
2Wisconsin
Range: $73$4,236
$1,989
3Idaho
Range: $80$4,173
$1,697
4Rhode Island
Range: $452$2,410
$1,253
5Massachusetts
Range: $438$2,410
$1,247
6Minnesota
Range: $338$2,258
$1,163
7Connecticut
Range: $366$2,410
$1,161
8Delaware
Range: $412$2,410
$1,154
9Pennsylvania
Range: $366$2,410
$1,133
10Wyoming
Range: $648$1,845
$1,133
11New York
Range: $384$2,410
$1,111
12Georgia
Range: $450$2,024
$1,109
13Iowa
Range: $452$1,680
$1,102
14New Hampshire
Range: $573$1,631
$1,073
15Nebraska
Range: $655$1,294
$1,041
16West Virginia
Range: $482$1,901
$1,025
17South Dakota
Range: $387$1,811
$991
18District of Columbia
Range: $443$1,591
$987
19New Jersey
Range: $412$1,845
$945
20Maine
Range: $634$1,087
$925
21North Carolina
Range: $450$1,504
$916
22North Dakota
Range: $331$1,591
$891
23Illinois
Range: $90$1,895
$880
24Maryland
Range: $485$1,591
$878
25New Mexico
Range: $487$1,281
$869
26Colorado
Range: $452$1,326
$861
27Utah
Range: $80$1,294
$844
28Kentucky
Range: $394$1,419
$843
29Michigan
Range: $452$1,294
$833
30Oregon
Range: $80$1,591
$811
31Indiana
Range: $90$1,642
$798
32Vermont
Range: $410$1,326
$788
33Washington
Range: $80$1,475
$773
34Texas
Range: $421$1,250
$765
35South Carolina
Range: $422$1,266
$765
36Mississippi
Range: $424$1,330
$761
37Arkansas
Range: $479$1,034
$755
38Tennessee
Range: $466$1,057
$738
39Alabama
Range: $382$1,165
$722
40Missouri
Range: $507$892
$720
41Virginia
Range: $389$1,182
$719
42Nevada
Range: $452$1,051
$717
43Hawaii
Range: $80$1,287
$706
44Louisiana
Range: $394$1,089
$693
45Oklahoma
Range: $442$1,009
$671
46Kansas
Range: $507$860
$668
47Ohio
Range: $338$983
$635
48Arizona
Range: $452$907
$604
49Alaska
Range: $80$1,127
$429
50Montana
Range: $80$985
$382
51Florida
Range: $35$980
$357
Knee Arthroscopy in Other States