Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Montana
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Montana's vast geography and rural provider distribution create unique cost dynamics for specialized orthopedic procedures like Knee Arthroscopy across the state. Based on actual negotiated insurance rates, Montana patients typically pay between $80 and $985 for Knee Arthroscopy procedures, with significant variation depending on facility type and location. Montana has 300 active Knee Arthroscopy providers across its major metropolitan areas and rural communities, giving patients options to compare costs and find quality care throughout the state.
Average
$382
Median
$80
Lowest
$80
Highest
$985
Providers
300
59% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Montana?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $92 | $1,667 | $6,877 | 35 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $1,395 | $6,442 | 49 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $554 | $2,744 | 48 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $80 | $80 | $1,124 | 315 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $80 | $1,231 | 321 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $82 | $983 | $4,679 | 42 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $80 | $920 | 298 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $313 | $581 | 38 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $378 | $656 | $2,328 | 32 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $675 | $2,902 | 39 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $90 | $469 | $979 | 37 |
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 Montana
These hospitals in Montana are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
FORT HARRISON, MT
WHITEFISH, MT
MISSOULA, MT
ANACONDA, MT
GREAT FALLS, MT
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 Montana
Montana's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above the national average, influenced by the state's rural geography and limited specialist density across its 147,000 square miles. The concentration of orthopedic specialists in Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls creates cost disparities between urban and rural areas.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Montana's major metropolitan areas like Billings and Missoula have multiple orthopedic practices offering competitive pricing for Knee Arthroscopy procedures, while rural counties may require patients to travel significant distances for specialized care. This geographic disparity can affect both access and pricing, with some rural patients facing higher travel costs that offset potential savings from lower facility overhead.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned orthopedic clinics affiliated with major health systems like Billings Clinic or Providence St. Joseph Health typically charge facility fees that can increase total visit costs compared to independent practices. Montana's smaller independent orthopedic groups often have lower overhead costs and may offer more transparent pricing for Knee Arthroscopy procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in Montana
Montana's insurance market features moderate competition with BCBS Montana holding significant market share, followed by PacificSource and UHC competing primarily in urban areas. This concentration can affect negotiated rates, with some rural areas having limited insurer options that may result in less competitive pricing for specialized orthopedic services.
Physician Supply and Demand in Montana
With 300 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving Montana's population of just over one million residents, the state maintains reasonable specialist availability in urban centers but faces shortages in rural areas. This supply-demand dynamic can drive up costs in underserved regions while creating more competitive pricing in Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman where multiple providers compete for patients.
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 Montana
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Montana without insurance?
Does Montana Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Montana?
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 Montana?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Montana?
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 |