Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Pennsylvania
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Pennsylvania's healthcare market, concentrated around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, features over 933 active Knee Arthroscopy providers across the state's diverse geographic regions. Patients typically pay between $365.95 and $2,410.25 for arthroscopic knee procedures, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $622.95. The state's expanded Medicaid program and competitive insurance landscape with major players like Highmark and Independence Blue Cross Blue Shield help keep costs approximately 13% below national averages, making Pennsylvania an affordable option for patients browsing Knee Arthroscopy providers throughout the Commonwealth.
Average
$1,133
Median
$623
Lowest
$366
Highest
$2,410
Providers
933
20% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Pennsylvania?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $909 | $1,551 | $6,051 | 916 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $1,379 | $6,060 | 1,270 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $618 | $2,135 | 984 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $98 | $709 | $1,984 | 1,021 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $632 | $1,669 | 1,389 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $975 | $3,201 | 983 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $434 | $719 | $2,160 | 910 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $149 | $317 | $742 | 968 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $333 | $562 | $1,448 | 914 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $250 | $705 | $2,642 | 976 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $317 | $537 | $1,957 | 914 |
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 Pennsylvania
These hospitals in Pennsylvania are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
WASHINGTON, PA
ROYERSFORD, PA
YORK, PA
WYOMISSING, PA
MUNCY, PA
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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's healthcare costs run approximately 13% below national averages, reflecting the state's competitive insurance market and geographic diversity from urban Philadelphia to rural northern counties. The Commonwealth's concentration of providers around major metropolitan areas creates pricing disparities that can significantly impact patient out-of-pocket expenses.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Pennsylvania's 933 Knee Arthroscopy providers are heavily concentrated in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas, with sparser coverage in rural regions like the northern tier and central mountains. Patients in rural counties often travel to urban centers for specialized procedures, which can add transportation costs but may result in lower facility fees. The state's Appalachian regions have particular challenges with specialist access, though telemedicine consultations are increasingly bridging geographic gaps.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned surgery centers in Pennsylvania typically charge 40-60% more than independent ambulatory facilities due to higher overhead costs and facility fees. Major health systems like UPMC in Pittsburgh and Penn Medicine in Philadelphia often have premium pricing structures, while smaller community hospitals and standalone surgery centers offer competitive rates. The state's certificate-of-need laws historically limited surgery center development, creating less competition in some markets.
Insurance Market Competition in Pennsylvania
The dominance of Highmark, Independence Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare creates a moderately competitive market with negotiated rates that benefit patients. Regional variations exist, with Highmark stronger in western Pennsylvania and Independence BCBS serving the Philadelphia market, leading to different network compositions and pricing. The competitive landscape has helped keep arthroscopic procedure costs below national averages compared to less competitive states.
Physician Supply and Demand in Pennsylvania
With 933 active Knee Arthroscopy providers statewide, Pennsylvania has adequate specialist coverage relative to its population, contributing to competitive pricing and reasonable wait times. The concentration of providers in urban areas creates healthy competition for elective procedures like arthroscopy, while rural areas may have longer waits but lower costs. The state's medical schools and residency programs help maintain physician supply, preventing the shortages that drive up costs in other regions.
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 Pennsylvania
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Pennsylvania without insurance?
Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Pennsylvania?
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 |