Logo
North Dakota

Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in North Dakota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Dakota's healthcare landscape features 43 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving a state where rural access challenges often drive patients to regional medical centers in Fargo and Grand Forks. Patients typically pay between $331 and $1,591 for Knee Arthroscopy procedures, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $752 based on negotiated insurance rates. Browse all qualified Knee Arthroscopy providers across North Dakota to find the most affordable option for your specific insurance plan.

Average

$891

Median

$752

Lowest

$331

Highest

$1,591

Providers

43

National avg: $941North Dakota: $891

5% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in North Dakota?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$1,198$1,894$3,47537
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$91$91$2,019455
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$80$746$1,60941
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$691$6,146$6,146470
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$80$800$1,76755
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$610$1,240$2,59740
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$381$849$1,62742
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$237$399$82038
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$437$709$1,53739
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$478$885$1,82040
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$319$596$2,59138

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.

Why Knee Arthroscopy Visit Costs Vary Across North Dakota

North Dakota's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above national averages, reflecting the state's oil boom economy and the logistical challenges of providing specialized orthopedic care across vast rural distances. The concentration of advanced surgical facilities in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Bismarck creates regional pricing variations based on travel accessibility and facility overhead costs.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of North Dakota's 43 Knee Arthroscopy providers practice in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area and along the I-94 corridor, requiring patients from western counties to travel significant distances for specialized care. This geographic concentration allows urban providers to maintain higher volumes and potentially offer more competitive pricing than isolated rural practitioners.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Sanford Health and Essentia Health operate the majority of hospital-based orthopedic programs in North Dakota, typically charging facility fees that independent ambulatory surgery centers avoid. The Bakken oil region's economic influence has driven up real estate and staffing costs, particularly affecting overhead expenses for surgical facilities in western North Dakota.

Insurance Market Competition in North Dakota

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota maintains the largest market share, followed by Sanford Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate insurer competition that influences negotiated rates. The state's relatively small population limits the leverage smaller insurers have when negotiating with major health systems, sometimes resulting in higher contracted rates than in larger markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Dakota

With 43 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving approximately 760,000 residents, North Dakota maintains adequate specialist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand dynamic allows urban specialists to maintain premium pricing while rural access challenges sometimes force patients to seek care in Minnesota or other neighboring states.

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 North Dakota

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

Uninsured patients in North Dakota typically pay between $331 and $1,591 for knee arthroscopy procedures, with a median cost of $752 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 15-30% off these rates, and payment plans are often available for expensive procedures. Independent surgery centers generally cost less than hospital-based facilities due to lower overhead expenses.

Does North Dakota Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?

Yes, North Dakota expanded Medicaid covers medically necessary knee arthroscopy procedures when conservative treatments have failed and surgery is deemed appropriate. Prior authorization is typically required, and patients must use in-network orthopedic surgeons to avoid additional out-of-pocket costs. Coverage includes both the surgical procedure and related pre-operative evaluations.

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

Compare costs between hospital-based orthopedic clinics and independent ambulatory surgery centers, as the latter often charge significantly less due to lower overhead. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider traveling to Fargo or Grand Forks where higher provider volume may result in more competitive pricing. Community health centers in some areas may also provide referrals to reduced-cost orthopedic services.

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

Initial orthopedic consultations for knee problems typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required. While specific consultation pricing wasn't provided in our data, arthroscopic procedures themselves range from $331-$1,591 in North Dakota. Follow-up visits for post-surgical care are usually covered differently by insurance and cost significantly less than the initial procedure.

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

Yes, knee arthroscopy procedures are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes the surgical procedure, related consultations, physical therapy, and medical equipment like crutches or braces. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement or tax purposes.

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

While the actual arthroscopic procedure must be performed in person, telemedicine consultations for initial evaluations and follow-up care typically cost 20-40% less than in-office visits. This is particularly valuable for North Dakota patients in rural areas who would otherwise face long travel distances for routine check-ups. Many orthopedic practices now offer hybrid care combining telehealth consultations with in-person surgical procedures.

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