Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in California
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
California's healthcare market, dominated by large health systems and consolidated provider networks, creates significant cost variations for specialty procedures across the state. Knee Arthroscopy procedures in California typically range from $80 to $8,767 based on transparency data from insurance negotiations, with over 4,800 active providers offering these services statewide. Patients can browse all qualified Knee Arthroscopy specialists throughout California to find the most cost-effective option for their specific insurance coverage.
Average
$2,976
Median
$80
Lowest
$80
Highest
$8,767
Providers
4,867
216% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in California?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endometrial Ablation Cost of endometrial ablation procedures including NovaSure (hysteroscopic), thermal balloon, and cryoablation, with state-by-state pricing. | 58563 | $245 | $1,904 | $6,978 | 778 |
| Chin Liposuction Cost of chin (submental) liposuction across the US, with state-by-state pricing for both office-based and ambulatory surgery center settings. | 15876 | $304 | $510 | $972 | 39 |
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $75 | $2,228 | $3,286 | 3,142 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $2,021 | $3,012 | 3,930 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $1,210 | $1,401 | 2,015 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $75 | $1,094 | $1,714 | 6,358 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $933 | $1,375 | 7,138 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,135 | $2,758 | 1,473 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $820 | $2,160 | 897 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $80 | $265 | $705 | 1,717 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $423 | $975 | $1,216 | 2,424 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $961 | $1,972 | 1,786 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $80 | $261 | $1,930 | 2,261 |
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 29881 — Arthroscopy, 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 California
These hospitals in California are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
SANTA CRUZ, CA
IRVINE, CA
FRESNO, CA
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
TRUCKEE, CA
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 California
California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above the national average, driven by high real estate costs, premium labor markets, and concentrated health system ownership. The state's diverse geography creates stark cost differences between expensive coastal metropolitan areas and more affordable inland regions.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
California's major population centers like the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego have abundant orthopedic specialists, creating competitive pricing, while rural counties in the Central Valley and Northern California may have limited options. Patients in underserved areas often travel to urban centers for specialized arthroscopic procedures, adding travel costs but potentially reducing surgical fees. The state's vast geographic spread means some patients face 3-4 hour drives to reach experienced knee specialists.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Large health systems like Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai operate hospital-based orthopedic clinics with higher overhead costs than independent practices. California's strict seismic and environmental regulations increase facility construction and maintenance costs compared to other states. Independent ambulatory surgery centers often provide more cost-effective options for routine arthroscopic procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in California
While Anthem, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare dominate California's market, regional insurers like Health Net and Blue Shield of California provide additional options in certain areas. Kaiser's integrated delivery model creates unique pricing dynamics where members receive care exclusively within the Kaiser system. The competitive insurance landscape in major metropolitan areas generally results in better negotiated rates than in rural counties with limited insurer participation.
Physician Supply and Demand in California
With over 4,800 providers performing Knee Arthroscopy procedures statewide, California has relatively good specialist availability compared to its large population. The state's medical schools and residency programs produce many orthopedic specialists, though high practice costs drive some to other states. Strong physician supply in urban areas helps moderate pricing, while shortage areas in rural regions may command premium rates.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Knee Arthroscopy Costs in California
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in California without insurance?
Does California Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in California?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee Arthroscopy visit in California?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in California?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 29881)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Range: $80 – $8,767 | $2,976 |
| 2 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $4,236 | $1,989 |
| 3 | Idaho Range: $80 – $4,173 | $1,697 |
| 4 | Rhode Island Range: $452 – $2,410 | $1,253 |
| 5 | Massachusetts Range: $438 – $2,410 | $1,247 |
| 6 | Minnesota Range: $338 – $2,258 | $1,163 |
| 7 | Connecticut Range: $366 – $2,410 | $1,161 |
| 8 | Delaware Range: $412 – $2,410 | $1,154 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania Range: $366 – $2,410 | $1,133 |
| 10 | Wyoming Range: $648 – $1,845 | $1,133 |
| 11 | New York Range: $384 – $2,410 | $1,111 |
| 12 | Georgia Range: $450 – $2,024 | $1,109 |
| 13 | Iowa Range: $452 – $1,680 | $1,102 |
| 14 | New Hampshire Range: $573 – $1,631 | $1,073 |
| 15 | Nebraska Range: $655 – $1,294 | $1,041 |
| 16 | West Virginia Range: $482 – $1,901 | $1,025 |
| 17 | South Dakota Range: $387 – $1,811 | $991 |
| 18 | District of Columbia Range: $443 – $1,591 | $987 |
| 19 | New Jersey Range: $412 – $1,845 | $945 |
| 20 | Maine Range: $634 – $1,087 | $925 |
| 21 | North Carolina Range: $450 – $1,504 | $916 |
| 22 | North Dakota Range: $331 – $1,591 | $891 |
| 23 | Illinois Range: $90 – $1,895 | $880 |
| 24 | Maryland Range: $485 – $1,591 | $878 |
| 25 | New Mexico Range: $487 – $1,281 | $869 |
| 26 | Colorado Range: $452 – $1,326 | $861 |
| 27 | Utah Range: $80 – $1,294 | $844 |
| 28 | Kentucky Range: $394 – $1,419 | $843 |
| 29 | Michigan Range: $452 – $1,294 | $833 |
| 30 | Oregon Range: $80 – $1,591 | $811 |
| 31 | Indiana Range: $90 – $1,642 | $798 |
| 32 | Vermont Range: $410 – $1,326 | $788 |
| 33 | Washington Range: $80 – $1,475 | $773 |
| 34 | Texas Range: $421 – $1,250 | $765 |
| 35 | South Carolina Range: $422 – $1,266 | $765 |
| 36 | Mississippi Range: $424 – $1,330 | $761 |
| 37 | Arkansas Range: $479 – $1,034 | $755 |
| 38 | Tennessee Range: $466 – $1,057 | $738 |
| 39 | Alabama Range: $382 – $1,165 | $722 |
| 40 | Missouri Range: $507 – $892 | $720 |
| 41 | Virginia Range: $389 – $1,182 | $719 |
| 42 | Nevada Range: $452 – $1,051 | $717 |
| 43 | Hawaii Range: $80 – $1,287 | $706 |
| 44 | Louisiana Range: $394 – $1,089 | $693 |
| 45 | Oklahoma Range: $442 – $1,009 | $671 |
| 46 | Kansas Range: $507 – $860 | $668 |
| 47 | Ohio Range: $338 – $983 | $635 |
| 48 | Arizona Range: $452 – $907 | $604 |
| 49 | Alaska Range: $80 – $1,127 | $429 |
| 50 | Montana Range: $80 – $985 | $382 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $980 | $357 |