Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Washington
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Washington's robust healthcare infrastructure includes major academic medical centers like UW Medicine alongside a growing network of orthopedic specialists throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. Knee Arthroscopy patients in the state typically encounter costs ranging from $80 to $1,475, with a median procedure cost of $764 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 4,300 active Knee Arthroscopy providers across Washington, patients have substantial options when selecting an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine specialist for their care.
Average
$773
Median
$764
Lowest
$80
Highest
$1,475
Providers
4,308
18% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Washington?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,606 | $2,114 | $3,703 | 2,174 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $1,500 | $2,037 | $3,707 | 2,234 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $616 | $966 | $1,521 | 2,220 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $80 | $806 | $1,815 | 5,408 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $794 | $1,832 | 5,463 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $985 | $1,415 | $2,480 | 2,213 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $80 | $857 | $1,793 | 4,297 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $324 | $434 | $889 | 2,197 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $592 | $768 | $1,594 | 2,162 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $585 | $946 | $1,804 | 2,200 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $490 | $669 | $1,221 | 2,180 |
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 Washington
These hospitals in Washington are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
SPOKANE, WA
CLARKSTON, WA
PULLMAN, WA
PORT TOWNSEND, WA
PROSSER, WA
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 Washington
Healthcare costs in Washington run approximately 10% above national averages, driven by the state's high cost of living, particularly in the Seattle metropolitan area, and strong provider networks that command premium rates from insurers. The state's geographic diversity creates distinct cost patterns, with urban centers like Seattle and Spokane offering competitive pricing due to provider density, while rural areas often see higher costs due to limited specialist availability.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Puget Sound region concentrates the majority of Washington's orthopedic specialists, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times for knee arthroscopy patients. Eastern Washington and smaller communities often require travel to larger cities for specialized care, with transportation costs and time off work adding to the total expense of treatment.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Major health systems like UW Medicine, MultiCare, and Providence dominate Washington's healthcare landscape, with their hospital-based outpatient centers typically charging higher facility fees than independent surgery centers. Ambulatory surgery centers often provide the same quality care at 30-40% lower cost, making them attractive options for routine knee arthroscopy procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in Washington
Strong competition among Premera, Regence, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare has kept negotiated rates relatively reasonable compared to less competitive markets. The state's robust insurance exchange and Medicaid expansion have increased coverage options, though rural areas still face challenges with narrow provider networks that can limit cost-effective choices.
Physician Supply and Demand in Washington
With over 4,300 providers performing knee arthroscopy procedures, Washington maintains adequate specialist availability in most regions, helping to moderate pricing through competition. The concentration of providers in urban areas creates favorable market dynamics for patients, while rural communities may face higher costs due to limited local options and the need to travel for care.
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 Washington
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Washington without insurance?
Does Washington Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Washington?
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 Washington?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Washington?
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 |