Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Tennessee
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Tennessee's healthcare market operates at approximately 4% below national cost averages, reflecting the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural provider networks. Patients seeking Knee Arthroscopy procedures typically pay between $466 and $1,057, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $690 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 2,276 active providers offering arthroscopic services across the state, patients can browse all available Knee Arthroscopy specialists in Tennessee to find quality care that fits their budget.
Average
$738
Median
$690
Lowest
$466
Highest
$1,057
Providers
2,276
22% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Tennessee?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,147 | $1,734 | $2,647 | 2,258 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,095 | $1,701 | $2,579 | 2,352 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $418 | $715 | $1,090 | 2,391 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $531 | $835 | $1,300 | 2,318 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $90 | $748 | $1,258 | 2,637 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,116 | $1,679 | 2,384 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $516 | $732 | $1,155 | 2,275 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $234 | $364 | $559 | 2,379 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $440 | $660 | $1,016 | 2,254 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $371 | $763 | $1,198 | 2,374 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $332 | $503 | $804 | 2,426 |
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 Tennessee
These hospitals in Tennessee are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
MOUNTAIN HOME, TN
MANCHESTER, TN
HUNTINGDON, TN
FRANKLIN, TN
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 Tennessee
Tennessee's healthcare costs run approximately 4% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of competitive urban markets and cost-effective rural providers. The state's central location and moderate cost of living contribute to more affordable healthcare delivery compared to coastal regions.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Tennessee's major metropolitan areas like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville concentrate most specialized orthopedic practices, while rural counties often rely on traveling surgeons or require patient travel for arthroscopic procedures. The Appalachian regions in eastern Tennessee face particular challenges with specialist access, sometimes requiring 2-3 hour drives to reach qualified arthroscopic surgeons. This geographic disparity creates cost variations where urban competition can lower prices but rural travel costs offset savings.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned orthopedic clinics affiliated with major health systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Baptist Health, and Saint Thomas Health typically charge higher facility fees but offer comprehensive surgical services. Independent surgical centers and orthopedic-specific facilities often provide more competitive pricing for routine arthroscopic procedures due to lower overhead costs. Many Tennessee surgeons maintain privileges at both hospital and ambulatory surgical centers, giving patients cost options.
Insurance Market Competition in Tennessee
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee holds significant market share, providing substantial negotiating power with orthopedic providers across the state. UnitedHealthcare and Cigna compete primarily in urban markets, creating more competitive rates in cities while rural areas may have limited insurer participation. The moderate competition level allows for reasonable negotiated rates without the extreme price variations seen in less competitive markets.
Physician Supply and Demand in Tennessee
With over 2,276 providers offering arthroscopic services, Tennessee maintains adequate specialist supply relative to its population of 6.9 million residents. The concentration of medical training programs at Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee helps retain orthopedic surgeons in-state, supporting competitive pricing and reasonable wait times. Rural areas still experience some shortage of specialists, but the overall supply prevents the dramatic cost inflation seen in underserved markets.
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 Tennessee
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Tennessee without insurance?
Does Tennessee Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Tennessee?
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 |