Torn meniscus surgery typically costs between $2,000 and $7,000 in total, depending on where it’s performed, what type of procedure you need, and how you’re insured. If you have Medicare, your out-of-pocket share runs roughly $450 to $800. Without insurance, you could pay the full amount plus additional fees for anesthesia, imaging, and follow-up care that push the total higher.
What the Surgery Actually Costs
The total price tag for meniscus surgery has several moving parts: a facility fee, a surgeon’s fee, and anesthesia charges. Based on Medicare’s national averages, the total approved amount for arthroscopic meniscus surgery ranges from about $2,285 at an ambulatory surgery center to $3,983 at a hospital outpatient department. Those figures represent what Medicare considers the full cost of the procedure itself, before factoring in pre-surgical imaging, post-op visits, or physical therapy.
For a more detailed breakdown, research published in Cureus found that the procedure fee accounts for roughly 45% of the total charge, the surgeon’s fee about 12%, and anesthesia (including the anesthesiologist) around 10%. The operating room fee adds another 7–8%. The rest covers supplies, implants if needed, and administrative costs. If you’re paying out of pocket and negotiating directly with a surgery center, knowing these proportions can help you understand what you’re being billed for.
Where You Have the Surgery Matters
One of the biggest factors in your final bill is whether the procedure happens at a hospital outpatient department or a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC). A study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that knee procedures at ASCs had 36% lower total costs compared to hospital outpatient departments: $4,236 on average versus $6,668. Patient payments specifically were about 30% lower at ASCs, saving roughly $400 to $500 out of pocket for the same procedure.
The difference comes almost entirely from facility fees. ASCs charged an average of $3,408 for knee procedures, while hospitals charged $5,840, a 42% gap. Surgeon fees were essentially the same in both settings. So if your surgeon operates at both a hospital and a surgery center, choosing the surgery center for the same procedure can meaningfully reduce your costs.
Meniscus Repair vs. Partial Removal
There are two main types of meniscus surgery, and they differ in both technique and long-term cost. A partial meniscectomy trims away the damaged portion of cartilage. A meniscus repair stitches the torn tissue back together, preserving more of the original structure. Repair takes longer in the operating room and requires a more cautious rehab timeline, but it protects the joint long-term.
Interestingly, meniscus repair tends to be more cost-effective over time. A study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine found that when performed alongside ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair had a total direct cost of $17,898 compared to $24,768 for partial meniscectomy, a savings of nearly $7,000. That’s because removing cartilage increases the risk of arthritis and future knee procedures, which drives up costs down the road. Your surgeon will recommend one approach over the other based on where the tear is and how well it’s likely to heal, but if repair is an option, it often pays for itself.
What You’ll Pay With Insurance
With Medicare, patients pay roughly 20% of the approved amount. That works out to an average of $456 at an ambulatory surgery center or $796 at a hospital outpatient department for arthroscopic meniscus surgery. These are national averages based on Medicare’s 2026 payment schedule, so your actual cost will vary by location and provider.
Private insurance typically covers meniscus surgery as a medically necessary procedure once conservative treatments like rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy haven’t resolved the problem. Your share depends on your plan’s deductible, copay structure, and whether your surgeon and facility are in-network. If you haven’t met your annual deductible, you may owe significantly more than the coinsurance percentage alone. Call your insurer before scheduling to get a pre-authorization and a cost estimate specific to your plan.
Physical Therapy Adds Up
The surgery bill is only part of the picture. Nearly everyone needs physical therapy afterward, and those sessions represent a real ongoing expense. Without insurance, post-surgical PT typically runs $125 to $200 per session. In-home visits, if needed, average $100 to $150.
After a simple meniscectomy, you might need PT for four to six weeks, attending two to three sessions per week. A meniscus repair requires a longer, more gradual rehab, often three to four months of regular sessions. At two sessions per week for 12 weeks, that’s 24 sessions. Even at the lower end of the price range, that’s $3,000 out of pocket without insurance. Many insurance plans cap coverage at around 20 visits per year, so check your benefits before you start. Some patients transition to a home exercise program after the first few weeks to reduce costs while staying on track.
Ways to Reduce Your Total Cost
If you’re looking to keep expenses down, the most impactful choice is the surgical setting. Choosing an ambulatory surgery center over a hospital outpatient department saves 30% or more on out-of-pocket costs for the same procedure. Ask your surgeon if they operate at an ASC and whether your case is appropriate for that setting. Most straightforward meniscus surgeries are.
Other strategies that help: request an itemized estimate from both the facility and the surgeon’s office before your procedure date. Compare it against Medicare’s national average as a benchmark. If you’re uninsured, many surgery centers offer a cash-pay discount that can reduce the total by 20–40%. Payment plans are also common. For physical therapy, ask about bundled pricing or self-pay rates, which are sometimes lower than what the clinic charges insurance companies.
If your MRI shows a degenerative tear rather than a sudden sports injury, it’s also worth discussing with your doctor whether surgery is necessary at all. Research over the past decade has shown that for many degenerative meniscus tears, especially in people over 50, physical therapy alone produces outcomes comparable to surgery. Skipping the operation entirely is the most effective cost reduction of all.