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Virginia

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

National avg: $941Virginia: $719

24% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Virginia?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$976$1,473$2,9462,671
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$920$1,473$2,6592,724
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$360$614$1,1572,789
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$98$686$1,3553,145
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$404$622$1,2382,859
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$601$956$1,7822,772
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$433$646$1,2982,682
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$192$307$5892,754
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$358$554$1,0792,668
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$346$626$1,2922,760
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$309$464$9202,679

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 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 Virginia

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

5/5
85% would recommend824 patient surveys
5/5
80% would recommend397 patient surveys
5/5
73% would recommend171 patient surveys
4/5
83% would recommend698 patient surveys
4/5
81% would recommend1,098 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 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.

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 Virginia

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

Without insurance, knee arthroscopy procedures in Virginia typically cost between $389 and $1,182, with a median price of $587 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-40% when paying upfront, potentially reducing costs significantly. Many Virginia surgical centers offer payment plans and cash-pay pricing that may be lower than these median rates.

Does Virginia Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?

Yes, Virginia Medicaid covers medically necessary knee arthroscopy procedures with minimal patient cost-sharing since the state expanded Medicaid in 2019. Coverage extends to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, providing access to orthopedic care previously unavailable to many Virginia residents. Prior authorization may be required for elective procedures, but urgent cases typically receive expedited approval.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based outpatient centers and ambulatory surgery centers, as ASCs often charge 30-50% less for routine arthroscopic procedures. Look for self-pay discounts at independent orthopedic practices, and consider community health centers in areas like Richmond and Norfolk that offer sliding-scale fees. Virginia's competitive market means prices can vary significantly even within the same city, making comparison shopping worthwhile.

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

Initial knee arthroscopy consultations typically cost $389-1,182 based on procedure complexity and facility type, while follow-up visits are generally less expensive. Post-operative follow-up visits often involve wound checks and rehabilitation planning rather than complex procedures, reducing overall costs. Many Virginia practices include initial post-operative visits in their global surgical fee, eliminating separate charges for routine follow-up care.

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

Yes, knee arthroscopy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. This includes consultation fees, surgical procedures, anesthesia costs, and related medical equipment like braces or crutches prescribed by your Virginia orthopedic surgeon. Using pre-tax dollars through HSA or FSA accounts can reduce your effective cost by 20-30% depending on your tax bracket.

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

Telemedicine consultations for knee problems typically cost $150-300 in Virginia, significantly less than in-person visits, though physical examination is usually required for arthroscopic surgery candidates. Many Virginia orthopedic practices now offer virtual follow-up visits post-surgery, reducing travel costs and time off work for patients. However, initial evaluations for potential arthroscopic surgery usually require in-person assessment to properly examine knee mechanics and stability.

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