Knee Arthroscopy: What It Costs and What's Fair

CPT 29881 · Medicare rate: $516 · National avg charge: $8,306 · BillKarma data from 200 providers

Reviewed 2026-04-04 · Pricing data year: 2026

Knee Arthroscopy (CPT 29881) is a surgical procedure typically performed in a hospital or accredited outpatient surgical center. It is usually recommended after more conservative treatments—such as medication or physical therapy—have not resolved the underlying problem. Recovery time ranges from a few days to several weeks depending on patient health and procedure complexity.

Cost by Billing Grade

Grade	Avg Hospital Charge	Medicare Rate	Est. Patient Cost*	Hospitals
C	$1,778	$516	$356	27
D	$1,326	$516	$265	3
F	$6,283	$516	$1,257	68
N/A	$11,587	$516	$2,317	102

*Estimated patient cost assumes 20% coinsurance after deductible is met. Actual cost depends on your specific plan, deductible status, and network.

Cost Range Across Hospitals

Min: $298 Max: $34,869

Grade A (≤2x Medicare) Grade B (2–3x) Grade C (3–5x) Grade D/F (5x+)

What This Procedure Typically Costs by Facility Type

Hospital

200 providers

$298 — $34,869 | Avg: $8,306 (16.1x Medicare)

Find Providers Near You for This Procedure

Grade A-B only

Showing 10 lowest-markup providers nationally across hospitals, surgery centers, and imaging centers. Enter ZIP code to compare local providers side by side.

Provider	Type	Location	Grade	Charge	Benchmark	Markup	Your Est. Cost
Mt. Grant General Hospital	Hospital	Hawthorne, NV	N/A	$298	$516 Medicare OPPS	0.6x	—
DELL SETON MEDICAL CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS	Hospital	AUSTIN, TX	N/A	$529	$516 Medicare OPPS	1.0x	—
AdventHealth East Orlando	Hospital	Orlando, FL	D	$565	$516 Medicare OPPS	1.1x	—
Hennepin Healthcare	Hospital	MINNEAPOLIS, MN	N/A	$1,365	$516 Medicare OPPS	2.6x	—
Atrium Health Stanly	Hospital	Albemarle, NC	N/A	$1,366	$516 Medicare OPPS	2.6x	—
Atrium Health Behavioral Health	Hospital	Charlotte, NC	N/A	$1,366	$516 Medicare OPPS	2.6x	—
Atrium Health University	Hospital	Charlotte, NC	N/A	$1,366	$516 Medicare OPPS	2.6x	—
Carolinas Medical Center	Hospital	Charlotte, NC	N/A	$1,366	$516 Medicare OPPS	2.6x	—
ASCENSION MEDICAL GROUP ST. VINCENT	Hospital	NORTH VERNON, IN	C	$1,574	$516 Medicare OPPS	3.1x	—
ST VINCENT SALEM HOSPITAL INC	Hospital	SALEM, IN	N/A	$1,574	$516 Medicare OPPS	3.1x	—

What Is a Fair Price for This Procedure?

Medicare pays $516 for Knee Arthroscopy (CPT 29881). This rate is set by CMS based on the actual cost of delivering the procedure, including physician time, overhead, and equipment. It's the most reliable national benchmark for what the procedure is worth.

A hospital charging $1,031 (2x Medicare) or less earns an A billing grade — these are the most fairly priced facilities for this procedure. The national average charge is $8,306 (16.1x Medicare).

If your bill shows more than $1,547 (3x Medicare) for this procedure, it may be worth reviewing the charges carefully. Upload your bill to check →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Knee Arthroscopy cost with insurance?

With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for Knee Arthroscopy (CPT 29881) depends on your deductible, coinsurance rate, and in-network status. Medicare pays $516 for this procedure; the national average hospital charge is $8,306. Under standard 20% coinsurance after deductible, a patient at an average-charging hospital would owe approximately $1,661. Always verify your benefits before scheduling.

Does where I have Knee Arthroscopy done affect my recovery?

Hospital quality and surgical volume can influence outcomes for procedures like Knee Arthroscopy. High-volume centers tend to have lower complication rates for complex surgeries. However, billing grade is separate from quality ratings—some highly graded billing hospitals also have strong clinical outcomes. Review both the BillKarma billing grade and CMS quality stars when choosing a facility.

How do I negotiate the cost of Knee Arthroscopy if I'm on a high-deductible plan?

If you're paying a significant portion out-of-pocket, ask the hospital for their cash price before scheduling. Many hospitals offer 10–40% discounts for self-pay patients. Medicare pays $516 for this procedure—use that as your negotiating anchor. Also ask the billing department about payment plans or charity care if the cost poses a financial hardship.

Related Procedures

Total Hip Replacement · avg $22,016
Total Knee Replacement · avg $23,127
Hip Fracture Repair · avg $6,649

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