Cost of a Knee Arthroscopy Visit
in Wisconsin
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Wisconsin's healthcare landscape includes major systems like Froedtert Health and UW Health serving urban centers while rural counties often rely on Critical Access Hospitals for specialty referrals. Knee Arthroscopy patients typically pay between $73 and $4,236, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $1,658 based on negotiated insurance rates. Wisconsin has 2,595 active Knee Arthroscopy providers across the state, allowing patients to browse all providers and compare costs before scheduling.
Average
$1,989
Median
$1,658
Lowest
$73
Highest
$4,236
Providers
2,595
111% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee arthroscopy compare to related procedures in Wisconsin?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $73 | $3,723 | $10,559 | 2,606 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $73 | $3,602 | $10,564 | 2,707 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $80 | $95 | $10,062 | 3,125 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $73 | $1,221 | $4,635 | 3,551 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $73 | $1,115 | $5,429 | 4,057 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $73 | $1,742 | $5,848 | 5,130 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $95 | $1,082 | $4,419 | 1,138 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $95 | $547 | $1,404 | 1,113 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $73 | $1,248 | $4,031 | 2,412 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $73 | $984 | $3,947 | 2,389 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $85 | $747 | $5,357 | 2,273 |
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 Wisconsin
These hospitals in Wisconsin are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
GLENDALE, WI
ALTOONA, WI
PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI
MADISON, WI
WOODRUFF, WI
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of competitive urban markets and underserved rural regions. The state's economy balances manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare sectors, creating diverse patient populations with varying ability to pay.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Milwaukee and Madison metro areas concentrate most orthopedic specialists, while rural Wisconsin counties often have limited access to arthroscopic surgery, requiring patients to travel 50+ miles for care. This geographic disparity creates higher costs for rural patients due to travel expenses and limited competition. Northern Wisconsin's sparse population makes it challenging to support multiple competing practices.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient departments like those at Froedtert Health and UW Health typically charge higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgery centers throughout Wisconsin. Academic medical centers carry additional overhead from teaching and research missions, often resulting in 20-30% higher procedure costs. Smaller independent practices may offer more competitive pricing but have limited after-hours support services.
Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin
BCBS Wisconsin (Anthem), UnitedHealthcare, and WEA Trust dominate the state's insurance market, with moderate competition helping control negotiated rates. Rural areas may have fewer insurer options, potentially leading to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The state's lack of a comprehensive All-Payer Claims Database limits price transparency compared to neighboring states.
Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin
With 2,595 active providers performing knee arthroscopy procedures, Wisconsin maintains adequate specialist supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This geographic mismatch creates longer wait times and higher costs in underserved areas while urban markets remain competitive. The University of Wisconsin medical school helps train new orthopedic surgeons, but many graduates migrate to larger metropolitan 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 Wisconsin
What is the average cost of a Knee Arthroscopy visit in Wisconsin without insurance?
Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover Knee Arthroscopy visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Arthroscopy near me in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Arthroscopy in Wisconsin?
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 |