Knee arthroscopy, cartilage smoothing cost in California
In California, 51 hospitals publish a cash price for knee arthroscopy with smoothing of damaged cartilage (chondroplasty): from $936.62 to $28,210.80, with a median of $9,465.00. The lowest price is at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles). The highest price is 30.1× the lowest.
- The median here, $9,465.00, is 93% above the US median of $4,899.91.
- California ranks 27th of 33 states by median, cheapest first.
- 2 of 51 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
California law (Health and Safety Code §127405): if you are uninsured or have high medical costs and your family income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, a hospital may not expect you to pay more than it would expect from Medicare or Medi-Cal, whichever is greater. That can be less than the cash prices below; ask the hospital for its discount payment policy. A separate physician fee may still apply. Other states' laws.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 29877. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 8, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$936.62Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Median$9,465.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$28,210.80in California
Lowest saves$8,528.38vs the median
Hospitals in California, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center lowest Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Outpatient Surgical Group 4 | $936.62 | $1,440.95 | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Healdsburg Hospital Healdsburg · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC PR 29877 KNEE SCOPE SHAVE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE CDM | $982.26 | $1,926.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Scripps Green Hospital La Jolla · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA HC Arthroscopy Knee Surg | $2,639.85 | $10,559.40 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Encinitas · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA HC Arthroscopy Knee Surg | $2,639.85 | $10,559.40 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla La Jolla · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA HC Arthroscopy Knee Surg | $2,639.85 | $10,559.40 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA HC Arthroscopy Knee Surg | $2,639.85 | $10,559.40 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA HC Arthroscopy Knee Surg | $2,639.85 | $10,559.40 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Shasta Regional Medical Center Redding · Redding, CA Knee arthroscopy/surgery - 29877 - OR36029877 | $4,187.00 | $22,406.30 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Knee arthroscopy/surgery - 29877 - OR36029877 | $4,187.00 | $18,696.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fontana Fontana · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Moreno Valley Moreno Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Riverside Riverside · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Clairemont Mesa San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Zion San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West LA Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Fnd Hospital - Irvine Irvine · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Ontario Medical Center Campus Ontario · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $5,148.00 | $9,900.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| NorthBay Medical Center Fairfield · Vallejo, CA Knee Arthro Debrid/Shvg | $9,465.00 | $9,465.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital & Rehab Center - Vallejo Vallejo · Vallejo, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Antioch Antioch · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fremont Fremont · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fresno Fresno · Fresno, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Manteca Manteca · Stockton-Lodi, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Modesto Modesto · Modesto, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland/Richmond Oakland · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City Redwood City · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Roseville Roseville · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Francisco San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Jose San Jose · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Leandro San Leandro · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Rafael San Rafael · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Clara Santa Clara · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Rosa Santa Rosa · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South San Francisco South San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Vacaville Vacaville · Vallejo, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Walnut Creek Walnut Creek · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Fnd Hospital - Richmond Campus Richmond · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ARTHRS KNEE DEBRIDEMENT/SHAVING ARTCLR CRTLG | $10,018.40 | $17,890.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Northern California one side Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA REMOVAL OR SHAVING OF KNEE JOINT CARTILAGE USING AN ENDOSCOPE | $12,987.10 | $12,987.10 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| UC San Diego Medical Center San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Removal or shaving of knee joint cartilage using an endoscope | $16,047.49 | $29,177.26 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Ridgecrest · Bakersfield-Delano, CA Knee arthroscopy/surgery | $16,646.68 | $31,408.83 | Nov 6, 2026 source file |
| MarinHealth Medical Center one side Greenbrae · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA REMOVAL OR SHAVING OF KNEE JOINT CARTILAGE USING AN ENDOSCOPE | $28,210.80 | $47,018.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 11 | $936.62 | $5,148.00 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 11 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 9 | $2,639.85 | $2,639.85 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4 | $5,148.00 | $5,148.00 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 4 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
| Vallejo, CA | 3 | $9,465.00 | $10,018.40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 2 | $982.26 | $5,500.33 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1 | $16,646.68 | $16,646.68 |
| Fresno, CA | 1 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
| Modesto, CA | 1 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
| Redding, CA | 1 | $4,187.00 | $4,187.00 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1 | $10,018.40 | $10,018.40 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What knee arthroscopy, cartilage smoothing is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Knee arthroscopy, cartilage smoothing explained.
Knee arthroscopy with smoothing of damaged cartilage (chondroplasty) in other states
- Alabama$8,797.52
- Alaska$11,030.55, 2 hospitals
- Arizona$9,348.04
- Arkansas$3,665.38
- Colorado$10,718.50
- Connecticut$3,635.00, 1 hospital
- Delaware$3,381.70, 2 hospitals
- Florida$10,690.00
- Georgia$8,718.00
- Hawaii$10,988.60, 4 hospitals
- Idaho$6,877.00
- Illinois$4,870.60
- Indiana$11,045.90
- Iowa$2,100.85
- Kansas$4,390.38
- Kentucky$7,908.81
- Louisiana$4,002.40
- Maine$1,821.71, 2 hospitals
- Maryland$1,626.00, 1 hospital
- Massachusetts$6,432.38
- Michigan$4,836.05
- Minnesota$2,437.50
- Mississippi$3,267.64
- Missouri$6,939.09
- Montana$2,010.52, 4 hospitals
- Nebraska$3,218.68
- Nevada$3,765.30, 3 hospitals
- New Hampshire$754.05, 1 hospital
- New Jersey$4,291.71
- New Mexico$6,841.40, 4 hospitals
- New York$3,839.54
- North Carolina$3,364.20
- North Dakota$4,325.51, 4 hospitals
- Ohio$13,585.57
- Oklahoma$6,833.03
- Oregon$3,374.54, 4 hospitals
- Pennsylvania$5,993.50
- Rhode Island$5,613.32, 1 hospital
- South Carolina$10,884.90
- South Dakota$4,474.62, 2 hospitals
- Tennessee$6,199.01
- Texas$4,508.71
- Utah$4,764.89, 2 hospitals
- Vermont$4,048.54, 2 hospitals
- Virginia$14,256.20
- Washington$4,906.40
- West Virginia$4,725.50
- Wisconsin$3,084.87
- Wyoming$4,262.46, 2 hospitals
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.