Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Illinois
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Illinois leads the Midwest in orthopedic care innovation, with over 4,839 providers offering Knee Arthroscopy procedures across the state. Patients typically pay between $90 and $1,895 for arthroscopic knee procedures, with a median cost of $655 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state's concentration of academic medical centers in Chicago and Peoria drives both advanced treatment options and competitive pricing for residents seeking specialized knee care.
Average
$880
Median
$655
Lowest
$90
Highest
$1,895
Providers
4,839
7% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Illinois?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $85 | $1,778 | $3,789 | 4,831 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $85 | $1,664 | $3,707 | 4,966 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $418 | $694 | $1,200 | 3,854 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $85 | $943 | $1,984 | 4,987 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $857 | $1,654 | 6,834 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,214 | $2,665 | 5,065 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $512 | $683 | $1,289 | 3,659 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $253 | $339 | $596 | 3,648 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $90 | $707 | $1,569 | 4,730 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $90 | $740 | $1,846 | 4,743 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $372 | $594 | $1,070 | 3,849 |
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 Illinois
These hospitals in Illinois are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
GALENA, IL
CARTHAGE, IL
GIBSON CITY, IL
MONMOUTH, IL
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 Illinois
Illinois healthcare costs run approximately 10% above national averages, driven by the state's mix of high-cost Chicago metro providers and limited rural access. The concentration of major health systems in Cook County creates pricing power, while downstate markets struggle with provider shortages that can drive up specialty care costs.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Chicago's Loop and North Shore areas contain the highest concentration of orthopedic specialists, while rural counties south of Interstate 80 face significant access challenges. Patients in downstate Illinois often travel 100+ miles to see knee specialists, adding travel costs to their care. This geographic disparity creates waiting list pressures in urban areas and limited options in rural regions.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, and Rush University Medical Center operate high-overhead academic facilities that typically charge premium rates. Independent surgery centers and orthopedic practices often offer the same procedures at 30-50% lower costs due to reduced administrative overhead. Hospital-based outpatient departments carry the highest facility fees due to regulatory requirements and teaching mission costs.
Insurance Market Competition in Illinois
BCBS Illinois holds the largest market share statewide, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna in urban markets. Limited insurer competition in rural counties reduces negotiating leverage for competitive rates compared to the Chicago metro area. The state's insurance exchange offers more plan options in Cook County than elsewhere, affecting out-of-pocket costs for individual market purchasers.
Physician Supply and Demand in Illinois
With 4,839 active providers performing knee arthroscopy procedures, Illinois maintains adequate specialist supply in metropolitan areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The concentration of providers around Chicago and Peoria creates competitive pricing in these markets while limiting options elsewhere. Strong residency programs at Illinois medical schools help maintain provider pipeline, though many graduates migrate to higher-paying markets.
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 Illinois
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Illinois without insurance?
Does Illinois Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Illinois?
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 Illinois?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Illinois?
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 |