Removal of knee cartilage using an endoscope
Medicare pricing data for 11,355 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 6.5x markup — hospitals charge $4,713 but Medicare allows only $725.33. Uninsured patients may face bills 6.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $415 in Puerto Rico to $949 in Connecticut. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Removal of knee cartilage using an endoscope (HCPCS code 29881) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $725.33, but hospitals typically charge $4,713 — a 6.5x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $725.33, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $145.07. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 6.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $574.28 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $949 | $6,480 | 132 | 578 | +30.8% |
| New Jersey | $884 | $10,187 | 298 | 1,215 | +21.8% |
| Delaware | $872 | $5,283 | 37 | 271 | +20.2% |
| Maryland | $843 | $5,541 | 229 | 1,333 | +16.2% |
| Washington | $841 | $2,624 | 247 | 1,268 | +15.9% |
| New Hampshire | $841 | $6,261 | 77 | 443 | +15.9% |
| California | $834 | $5,601 | 1,009 | 5,058 | +15.0% |
| Oregon | $814 | $3,164 | 143 | 730 | +12.2% |
| Hawaii | $783 | $3,392 | 25 | 56 | +7.9% |
| Colorado | $781 | $4,653 | 246 | 1,102 | +7.6% |
| Wyoming | $772 | $5,765 | 49 | 209 | +6.4% |
| New York | $768 | $5,890 | 511 | 2,010 | +5.9% |
| Mississippi | $765 | $4,340 | 87 | 799 | +5.5% |
| Illinois | $760 | $5,784 | 411 | 2,043 | +4.7% |
| Minnesota | $759 | $3,809 | 200 | 659 | +4.6% |
| Georgia | $755 | $5,340 | 347 | 1,768 | +4.1% |
| Virginia | $751 | $4,765 | 280 | 1,495 | +3.5% |
| Tennessee | $751 | $5,353 | 275 | 1,672 | +3.5% |
| Rhode Island | $746 | $3,391 | 34 | 125 | +2.9% |
| Arizona | $745 | $4,837 | 260 | 1,423 | +2.7% |
| New Mexico | $741 | $5,018 | 43 | 254 | +2.2% |
| Florida | $734 | $5,479 | 791 | 4,779 | +1.2% |
| Michigan | $733 | $3,948 | 363 | 1,502 | +1.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $729 | $3,859 | 421 | 1,740 | +0.5% |
| Alaska | $726 | $7,390 | 55 | 244 | +0.1% |
| Utah | $725 | $4,016 | 120 | 633 | -0.1% |
| Montana | $719 | $2,892 | 59 | 320 | -0.9% |
| Iowa | $712 | $3,191 | 136 | 675 | -1.8% |
| North Carolina | $695 | $3,856 | 347 | 1,622 | -4.2% |
| Indiana | $676 | $5,243 | 326 | 1,536 | -6.9% |
| Nevada | $672 | $5,165 | 119 | 672 | -7.4% |
| Ohio | $670 | $3,648 | 448 | 2,106 | -7.7% |
| Texas | $667 | $4,672 | 779 | 3,330 | -8.1% |
| South Carolina | $662 | $3,648 | 184 | 1,194 | -8.7% |
| Louisiana | $661 | $3,613 | 184 | 807 | -8.9% |
| Alabama | $651 | $3,899 | 210 | 1,075 | -10.2% |
| Missouri | $647 | $5,115 | 284 | 1,193 | -10.8% |
| Massachusetts | $646 | $3,976 | 219 | 1,033 | -11.0% |
| Nebraska | $632 | $3,144 | 99 | 418 | -12.8% |
| Arkansas | $628 | $2,535 | 114 | 874 | -13.4% |
| Wisconsin | $627 | $5,880 | 241 | 864 | -13.5% |
| West Virginia | $610 | $2,379 | 54 | 243 | -15.8% |
| Maine | $578 | $2,021 | 45 | 153 | -20.3% |
| North Dakota | $576 | $2,150 | 47 | 187 | -20.6% |
| Kentucky | $563 | $3,226 | 139 | 553 | -22.3% |
| District of Columbia | $555 | $3,322 | 15 | 40 | -23.5% |
| Oklahoma | $537 | $1,946 | 154 | 782 | -26.0% |
| Idaho | $535 | $2,240 | 99 | 353 | -26.2% |
| Kansas | $525 | $3,077 | 188 | 1,160 | -27.6% |
| Vermont | $459 | $2,240 | 16 | 40 | -36.7% |
| South Dakota | $439 | $2,127 | 65 | 289 | -39.5% |
| Puerto Rico | $415 | $890 | 23 | 68 | -42.8% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
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