2026 Pricing Data
Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$15,000
Typical range: $6,000 – $25,000
Recovery
42–180 days
Risk Level
Moderate
Duration
60–150 min
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026
Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without
With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$4,509–$5,240
- PPO (typical)$4,509
- HDHP (high-deductible)$5,240
- Medicare (outpatient)$1,106
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$6,000–$25,000
National average: $15,000
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.
Understanding the Investment
Key Takeaways
- National average: $15,000 (range: $6,000–$25,000)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — Covered when conservative treatment (PT, injections) fails. Requires MRI...
- Recovery: 42–180 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
Rotator cuff surgery repairs torn tendons around the shoulder joint, restoring function and relieving pain. Approximately 500,000 Americans undergo this procedure annually, often due to injury or age-related wear and tear. The goal is to improve mobility and reduce discomfort when conservative treatments fail.
The facility fee, covering the surgical center or hospital, and the surgeon's professional fee, are significant cost components. Implants and surgical supplies also contribute substantially to the overall expense. Anesthesia fees and post-operative care, including follow-up visits and imaging, add to the total cost.
Consider non-surgical treatments as a first step, which are often more affordable and require fewer follow-up appointments. Also, high-volume surgical facilities may offer lower costs. Like ACL surgery, rotator cuff repair is a soft tissue reconstruction that benefits from outpatient surgical center pricing. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a rotator cuff surgery procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
30% of total · $3,150-$5,850
$3,150-$5,850
Hospital or surgical center facility charge
Surgeon Fee
30% of total · $3,150-$5,850
$3,150-$5,850
Surgeon professional fee
Implants & Supplies
15% of total · $1,575-$2,925
$1,575-$2,925
Implants, hardware, surgical supplies
Post-Op Care
15% of total · $1,575-$2,925
$1,575-$2,925
Hospital stay, follow-up visits, imaging
Anesthesia
10% of total · $1,050-$1,950
$1,050-$1,950
Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee
Go Deeper
Rotator Cuff Surgery Guides
Regional Variance
Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost by State
Geographic location plays a significant role — cost-of-living adjustments, regional demand for top specialists, and facility competition all affect pricing.
Most Affordable
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi $13,275-11.5%
- West Virginia $13,470-10.2%
- Alabama $13,575-9.5%
- Arkansas $13,680-8.8%
- Missouri $13,770-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $17,460+16.4%
- California $16,995+13.3%
- New York $16,920+12.8%
- Massachusetts $16,725+11.5%
- District of Columbia $16,575+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost in All 50 States
Already seen the cheapest and most expensive? Expand the full sortable table to compare every state.
Show all 50 states (sortable) Hide all 50 states
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $13,575 | -9.5% | |
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| Alaska | $16,305 | +8.7% | |
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| Arizona | $15,120 | +0.8% | |
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| Arkansas | $13,680 | -8.8% | |
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| California | $16,995 | +13.3% | |
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| Colorado | $15,780 | +5.2% | |
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| Connecticut | $16,470 | +9.8% | |
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| Delaware | $15,375 | +2.5% | |
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| District of Columbia | $16,575 | +10.5% | |
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| Florida | $15,045 | +0.3% | |
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| Georgia | $14,700 | -2.0% | |
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| Hawaii | $17,460 | +16.4% | |
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| Idaho | $14,580 | -2.8% | |
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| Illinois | $15,180 | +1.2% | |
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| Indiana | $14,370 | -4.2% | |
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| Iowa | $14,325 | -4.5% | |
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| Kansas | $14,220 | -5.2% | |
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| Kentucky | $13,845 | -7.7% | |
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| Louisiana | $13,980 | -6.8% | |
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| Maine | $15,570 | +3.8% | |
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| Maryland | $16,020 | +6.8% | |
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| Massachusetts | $16,725 | +11.5% | |
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| Michigan | $14,925 | -0.5% | |
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| Minnesota | $15,525 | +3.5% | |
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| Mississippi | $13,275 | -11.5% | |
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| Missouri | $13,770 | -8.2% | |
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| Montana | $14,625 | -2.5% | |
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| Nebraska | $14,475 | -3.5% | |
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| Nevada | $15,075 | +0.5% | |
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| New Hampshire | $15,825 | +5.5% | |
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| New Jersey | $16,425 | +9.5% | |
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| New Mexico | $14,070 | -6.2% | |
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| New York | $16,920 | +12.8% | |
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| North Carolina | $14,820 | -1.2% | |
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| North Dakota | $14,280 | -4.8% | |
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| Ohio | $14,745 | -1.7% | |
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| Oklahoma | $13,920 | -7.2% | |
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| Oregon | $16,125 | +7.5% | |
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| Pennsylvania | $15,270 | +1.8% | |
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| Rhode Island | $15,720 | +4.8% | |
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| South Carolina | $14,025 | -6.5% | |
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| South Dakota | $14,520 | -3.2% | |
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| Tennessee | $14,130 | -5.8% | |
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| Texas | $14,430 | -3.8% | |
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| Utah | $14,880 | -0.8% | |
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| Vermont | $15,675 | +4.5% | |
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| Virginia | $15,480 | +3.2% | |
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| Washington | $16,080 | +7.2% | |
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| West Virginia | $13,470 | -10.2% | |
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| Wisconsin | $14,970 | -0.2% | |
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| Wyoming | $14,175 | -5.5% | |
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Grounded Data
Real Hospital Charges (CMS Medicare Data)
Across 1,856 hospitals and surgery centers in the CMS Medicare data for rotator cuff surgery, average billed charges range from $1,149 to $70,410, with a national median of $10,496. The table below lists the highest-volume facilities by reported case count.
| Hospital | Location | Avg Billed Charge | Avg Medicare Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyu Langone Hospitals | New York, NY | $17,903 | $1,356 |
| Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center | Akron, OH | $8,029 | $996 |
| Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital | Roanoke, VA | $2,741 | $750 |
| Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | $13,710 | $1,004 |
| Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City, Inc | Oklahoma City, OK | $6,139 | $1,004 |
| New York-Presbyterian Hospital | New York, NY | $13,905 | $1,369 |
| Lehigh Valley Hospital | Allentown, PA | $11,110 | $1,147 |
| Newton-Wellesley Hospital | Newton, MA | $7,150 | $1,304 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center | Rancho Mirage, CA | $9,841 | $1,285 |
| Southcoast Hospital Group, Inc | Fall River, MA | $4,713 | $1,317 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center | Roseville, CA | $10,553 | $1,517 |
| Sanford | Fargo, ND | $5,199 | $1,125 |
| Berkshire Medical Center Inc - 1 | Pittsfield, MA | $5,067 | $1,401 |
| Sanford Usd Medical Center | Sioux Falls, SD | $6,018 | $1,109 |
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | $4,457 | $979 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA | $11,621 | $1,241 |
| Surgical Institute Of Reading | Wyomissing, PA | $10,987 | $1,086 |
| Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital | Greenville, SC | $8,332 | $1,004 |
| Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital | Lebanon, NH | $8,334 | $1,173 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | Houston, TX | $19,250 | $1,095 |
Billed charges are a hospital's list price and are typically far higher than what is actually paid. The Avg Medicare Payment column shows what Medicare actually reimbursed for the same procedure at that facility.
Source: CMS Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2023).
What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Arthroscopic vs. open repair — arthroscopic is less invasive and typically less expensive on facility fees
Tear size — small tears need simple repair; massive tears may require patches or tendon transfers
Anchors and sutures — the number of suture anchors used (2-6+) directly affects implant costs
Timeline
The Road to Results
Recovery is an investment of time. Understanding the phases helps you plan downtime and set expectations.
Before your rotator cuff surgery, you'll have consultations with your surgeon and anesthesiologist, and likely undergo imaging and blood tests. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements; they'll advise you on what to stop taking beforehand, like blood thinners.
On the day of surgery, you'll receive anesthesia—typically general or regional—and the procedure will take between one and two and a half hours. The surgeon will repair the torn tendons, often using an arthroscopic approach. After surgery, expect to wake up in a recovery area.
For the first day or two, focus on pain management and icing the shoulder. You'll need someone to drive you home and help with daily tasks. Full recovery takes time – realistically 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the tear's severity and your adherence to physical therapy. Plan for significant time off work. Regular follow-up visits with your surgeon and physical therapist are crucial to monitor your progress and ensure optimal healing.
01
Initial Recovery
42 days
Light activity, follow-up appointment. Most visible changes in this window.
02
Full Recovery
180 days
Return to normal activities, including most exercise and work routines.
03
Procedure Itself
60–150 min
Typical time under anesthesia or active treatment for a standard case.
Coverage & Financing
Paying for Rotator Cuff Surgery
Usually Covered by InsuranceCovered when conservative treatment (PT, injections) fails. Requires MRI documentation of tear.
Financing Options
- Medical credit cards — CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit offer 0% APR for 12-24 months on rotator cuff surgery
- Surgeon payment plans — many rotator cuff surgery providers split the $15,000 into 6-12 monthly installments with no interest
- HSA / FSA funds — medically necessary rotator cuff surgery qualifies for pre-tax health savings, effectively saving 20-35%
- Personal medical loans — Prosper Healthcare Lending and LightStream offer fixed-rate loans with no prepayment penalties
- Cash-pay discounts — paying the full amount upfront often saves 10-20% off the quoted price
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rotator cuff surgery cost in 2026?
In 2026, rotator cuff surgery costs $15,000 on average across the US. The typical range runs $6,000 to $25,000, with your final price shaped by geographic location, provider experience, and facility choice.
Does insurance cover rotator cuff surgery?
Rotator Cuff Surgery is usually covered by insurance. Covered when conservative treatment (PT, injections) fails. Requires MRI documentation of tear. Pre-authorization letters from your insurer are the definitive source for your specific coverage.
What's the cheapest state for rotator cuff surgery?
If price is your priority, look at Mississippi ($13,275), West Virginia ($13,470), Alabama ($13,575). Lower overhead costs for medical practices in these states translate to lower procedure pricing.
What affects rotator cuff surgery cost?
Several factors determine your final rotator cuff surgery price: arthroscopic vs. open repair, tear size, anchors and sutures, along with your surgeon's experience level and where you have the procedure done. See our state-by-state comparison above for geographic pricing differences.
How long is recovery after rotator cuff surgery?
Most patients need 42 to 180 days to fully recover from rotator cuff surgery. Early recovery (days 1-42) focuses on rest and pain management. By day 180, most people are back to full activity. Budget for post-op medications and follow-up visits during this window.
Where is rotator cuff surgery most expensive?
You'll pay the most for rotator cuff surgery in Hawaii ($17,460), California ($16,995), New York ($16,920). If you're in one of these states and cost is a concern, comparing quotes from lower-cost neighboring states could save you 15-25%.