Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Virginia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Virginia's healthcare market has seen significant growth in ambulatory surgical centers, creating new options for knee arthroscopy procedures across the Commonwealth. Knee Arthroscopy patients typically face out-of-pocket costs ranging from $389 to $1,182, with a median cost of $587 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 2,600 active Knee Arthroscopy providers throughout Virginia, patients have substantial choice in selecting the right specialist for their needs.
Average
$719
Median
$587
Lowest
$389
Highest
$1,182
Providers
2,679
24% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Virginia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $976 | $1,473 | $2,946 | 2,671 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $920 | $1,473 | $2,659 | 2,724 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $360 | $614 | $1,157 | 2,789 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $98 | $686 | $1,355 | 3,145 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $404 | $622 | $1,238 | 2,859 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $601 | $956 | $1,782 | 2,772 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $433 | $646 | $1,298 | 2,682 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $192 | $307 | $589 | 2,754 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $358 | $554 | $1,079 | 2,668 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $346 | $626 | $1,292 | 2,760 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $309 | $464 | $920 | 2,679 |
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 Virginia
These hospitals in Virginia are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
Fort Belvoir, VA
SALEM, VA
GRUNDY, VA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
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 Virginia
Virginia's healthcare costs run approximately 3% above the national average, reflecting the state's proximity to high-cost Washington DC metro area and robust physician supply. The Commonwealth's mix of urban medical centers, growing suburban markets, and underserved rural regions creates distinct pricing tiers across different geographic areas.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Northern Virginia and Richmond metropolitan areas have high concentrations of orthopedic surgeons, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times for knee arthroscopy procedures. Rural areas like Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley have limited specialist access, often requiring patients to travel 60+ miles for care and potentially paying premium rates. The University of Virginia and VCU health systems help bridge some rural gaps through telemedicine and satellite clinics.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Virginia's major health systems including Sentara, Carilion, and Inova operate numerous hospital-based outpatient centers with higher overhead costs than independent surgery centers. The state's growing ambulatory surgery center market offers lower-cost alternatives for routine arthroscopic procedures, with over 50 licensed ASCs providing orthopedic services. Academic medical centers like UVA and VCU typically charge premium rates but offer access to fellowship-trained subspecialists and complex revision capabilities.
Insurance Market Competition in Virginia
Anthem dominates Virginia's commercial insurance market with over 40% market share, followed by Optima Health and UnitedHealthcare creating a moderately competitive environment. The presence of multiple regional insurers like Virginia Premier helps keep negotiated rates competitive, particularly in the Richmond and Tidewater markets. Rural areas often have limited insurer participation, reducing competition and potentially increasing out-of-network costs for patients.
Physician Supply and Demand in Virginia
With over 2,600 active providers performing knee arthroscopy procedures, Virginia maintains adequate specialist supply in most metropolitan areas. This robust provider network helps moderate pricing pressures and reduces wait times compared to states with physician shortages. However, subspecialty fellowship-trained surgeons remain concentrated in major academic centers, creating premium pricing for complex cases requiring specialized expertise.
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 Virginia
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Virginia without insurance?
Does Virginia Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Virginia?
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 |
