Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Iowa
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Iowa's rural healthcare infrastructure creates unique cost dynamics for specialty procedures, with patients in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids typically having more provider options than those in smaller communities. Knee Arthroscopy procedures in Iowa range from $452 to $1,680, with a median cost of $1,174 based on negotiated insurance rates from 311 active providers statewide. Iowa residents benefit from having numerous qualified providers across the state, though costs can vary significantly between urban medical centers and rural clinics.
Average
$1,102
Median
$1,174
Lowest
$452
Highest
$1,680
Providers
311
17% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Iowa?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $95 | $2,935 | $4,753 | 309 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $91 | $2,938 | $3,950 | 320 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $1,186 | $1,313 | 296 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $90 | $1,428 | $3,082 | 337 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $1,304 | $2,810 | 369 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,912 | $3,576 | 341 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $549 | $1,426 | $1,627 | 255 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $95 | $640 | $705 | 270 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $457 | $1,131 | $2,449 | 317 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $1,392 | $3,021 | 333 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $361 | $933 | $1,068 | 260 |
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 Iowa
These hospitals in Iowa are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
ORANGE CITY, IA
BELMOND, IA
CLARION, IA
MARENGO, IA
ALGONA, IA
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 Iowa
Iowa's healthcare costs run approximately 9% below the national average, reflecting lower overhead expenses in rural areas and competitive pricing among the state's health systems. The state's agricultural economy and lower cost of living translate into more affordable medical care compared to coastal states.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Des Moines and Cedar Rapids concentrate most of Iowa's orthopedic specialists, while rural counties may have limited or no local arthroscopy options. Patients in western and northern Iowa often travel 50+ miles for specialty care, though this geographic spread can create cost advantages as rural facilities compete for patients. Telemedicine consultations have improved access for initial evaluations, reducing travel costs for Iowa residents.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
UnityPoint Health and Mercy Health Network operate major hospital systems across Iowa, with their outpatient surgery centers typically charging premium rates. Independent surgery centers in Iowa often provide 20-40% cost savings compared to hospital-based facilities while maintaining equivalent safety standards. Free-standing orthopedic clinics with in-house surgery suites represent the most cost-effective option for routine arthroscopic procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in Iowa
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield maintains the largest market share in Iowa, followed by United Healthcare and Aetna in select regions. Limited insurer competition in rural Iowa counties can result in higher premiums but often leads to broader provider networks. The state's insurance market concentration means most providers accept the major plans, simplifying network navigation for patients.
Physician Supply and Demand in Iowa
With 311 providers offering arthroscopic services, Iowa maintains adequate specialist availability relative to its population of 3.2 million residents. This healthy supply-to-demand ratio helps moderate pricing pressures and typically results in reasonable wait times for non-urgent procedures. Rural areas experience periodic specialist shortages, but traveling surgeons and telemedicine consultations help bridge these gaps.
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 Iowa
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Iowa without insurance?
Does Iowa Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Iowa?
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 Iowa?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Iowa?
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 |