Price Checker / CPT 29881
How much does Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair cost?
CPT 29881 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 13x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$770–$1,550
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,950
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $15,252 is $14,102 over the fair price (about 13x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley View Medical Center FORT MOHAVE, AZ | $60,874 | — | 11704% |
| Los Alamos Medical Center LOS ALAMOS, NY | $33,448 | — | 6386% |
| Starr Regional Medical Center , TN | $33,291 | — | 6355% |
| Spring View Hospital LEBANON, KY | $33,253 | — | 6348% |
| Jackson Purchase Medical Center MAYFIELD, KY | $32,638 | — | 6229% |
| Hill Regional Hospital Hillsboro, TX | $36,334 | — | 5889% |
| Meadowview Regional Medical Center MAYSVILLE, KY | $30,723 | — | 5857% |
| Southern Tennessee Regional Health System - Pulaski PULASKI, TN | $24,033 | — | 4560% |
| Georgetown Community Hospital GEORGETOWN, KY | $23,033 | — | 4366% |
| Fauquier Health , VA | $20,803 | — | 3934% |
| Southwest Health System Cortez, CO | $19,804 | — | 3587% |
| Bourbon Community Hospital PARIS, KY | $18,352 | — | 3459% |
| Pacifica Hospital of the Valley Sun Valley, CA | $18,342 | — | 3457% |
| Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital ELKO, NV | $17,749 | — | 3342% |
| Castleview Hospital PRICE, UT | $16,517 | — | 3103% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair
CPT code 29881 refers to knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair (billing description: "Arthrs kne srg mnisectmy m/l"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $516 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $516 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.