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South Dakota

Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in South Dakota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

South Dakota's predominantly rural healthcare landscape creates unique cost dynamics for specialized orthopedic procedures, with 53 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving the state's 900,000 residents. Patients typically pay between $387 and $1,811 for knee arthroscopy procedures, with a median cost of $776, reflecting negotiated rates that run approximately 9% above national averages. Browse all qualified Knee Arthroscopy providers across South Dakota to find the most cost-effective option for your specific insurance plan and location.

Average

$991

Median

$776

Lowest

$387

Highest

$1,811

Providers

53

National avg: $941South Dakota: $991

5% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$1,099$1,965$5,33050
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$90$1,769$3,01267
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$95$778$1,31353
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$80$975$6,14677
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$85$877$2,41866
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$1,242$2,54156
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$90$848$1,62754
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$197$411$70551
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$439$769$2,03450
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$491$940$2,42353
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$296$622$1,06853

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.

Top-Rated Hospitals in South Dakota

These hospitals in South Dakota are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.

5/5
93% would recommend805 patient surveys
5/5
91% would recommend609 patient surveys
5/5
86% would recommend298 patient surveys
DUNES SURGICAL HOSPITAL

DAKOTA DUNES, SD

5/5
85% would recommend192 patient surveys
5/5
85% would recommend218 patient surveys

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 South Dakota

South Dakota's healthcare costs run approximately 3% above national averages despite the state's relatively low cost of living, reflecting the challenges of delivering specialized care across vast rural distances. The state's sparse population density requires patients to travel significant distances for specialized orthopedic care, concentrating most Knee Arthroscopy providers in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of South Dakota's 53 Knee Arthroscopy providers practice in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City metropolitan areas, leaving rural residents with limited local options and potential travel costs. This geographic concentration can drive up costs in urban centers due to higher demand, while rural facilities may charge premium rates to offset lower patient volumes and higher operational costs per procedure.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Sanford Health and Avera Health systems dominate South Dakota's healthcare landscape, operating both large hospital-based outpatient centers and smaller community facilities across the state. Hospital-owned facilities typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent surgery centers, though they may offer more comprehensive services and accept a broader range of insurance plans.

Insurance Market Competition in South Dakota

The limited number of major insurers in South Dakota - primarily Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sanford Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare - creates moderate competition for negotiated rates with orthopedic providers. This concentrated market can result in less aggressive rate negotiations compared to states with more insurer competition, potentially contributing to the state's above-average healthcare costs.

Physician Supply and Demand in South Dakota

With 53 active Knee Arthroscopy providers serving approximately 900,000 residents, South Dakota maintains adequate specialist coverage compared to many rural states, though distribution remains heavily skewed toward urban areas. This supply-demand balance helps keep wait times reasonable in major cities while potentially driving up costs in underserved rural regions where patients have fewer provider options.

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 South Dakota

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

Uninsured patients in South Dakota typically pay between $387 and $1,811 for knee arthroscopy procedures, with a median cost of $776 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% off these rates, and payment plans are commonly available to help manage the financial burden.

Does South Dakota Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?

Traditional Medicaid in South Dakota covers medically necessary knee arthroscopy procedures for eligible recipients, but the state has not expanded Medicaid, leaving many low-income adults without coverage. Eligible individuals include children, pregnant women, parents with very low incomes, and people with disabilities who qualify for traditional Medicaid programs.

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

Compare costs across different facilities, as hospital-owned centers often charge more than independent surgery centers for the same procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, consider community health centers for initial consultations, and verify that both your surgeon and surgical facility are in-network with your insurance plan.

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

Initial consultations with orthopedic surgeons typically cost more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluations and diagnostic planning. The actual arthroscopy procedure represents the major cost component at $387-$1,811, while pre-operative consultations and post-operative follow-ups are typically billed at lower rates depending on the complexity and time involved.

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

Yes, knee arthroscopy procedures are qualified medical expenses that can be paid using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes the surgeon's fees, facility costs, anesthesia, and related medical expenses, providing valuable tax savings for patients paying out-of-pocket costs.

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

While the actual arthroscopy procedure must be performed in person, initial consultations and follow-up visits can sometimes be conducted via telemedicine at lower costs than in-person visits. This is particularly beneficial for South Dakota's rural residents who otherwise face long travel distances, though physical examination is usually necessary for accurate diagnosis of knee problems.

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