How Much Does Single Muscle or Tendon Transfer in the Upper Arm or Elbow Cost?
This surgical procedure involves relocating a single muscle or tendon in the upper arm or elbow to improve function or restore movement. It is performed to address muscle weakness, paralysis, or tendon damage resulting from injury or neurological conditions.
💡 The doctor's Medicare fee is $704 — that's what the physician receives. Hospital/facility charges are separate.
What does Upper Arm Muscle/Tendon Transfer cost where you live?
Prices vary by location. Pick your city to see local hospital prices.
Why do some cities cost 3–4× more than others?
Most of the difference is hospital pricing, not the medicine. The procedure itself is essentially the same everywhere — what changes is what the facility charges:
- Hospitals set their own prices. There's no national price for a procedure, so two hospitals — even in the same city — can charge wildly different amounts for identical care.
- Local costs differ. Wages, rent, and malpractice insurance are far higher in big metros (e.g. San Francisco, New York) than in smaller cities. Medicare adjusts the doctor's fee for this, but only modestly; hospital charges swing much more.
- Competition matters. In areas with few hospitals or one dominant health system, prices tend to run higher. Competitive markets push them down.
- Insurer contracts vary by region, which moves both the negotiated and cash prices.
💡 Because the difference is mostly pricing power — not quality — it's worth comparing hospitals and asking for the cash/self-pay rate, which is often far below the list price.
Hospitals in
| Hospital | Median price | Range |
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Prices from the Hospital Price Transparency Act. Median = middle price across insurers at that hospital.
Common Questions
How much does Upper Arm Muscle/Tendon Transfer cost?
Does Medicare cover Upper Arm Muscle/Tendon Transfer?
How much does it cost without insurance?
Why is the price so different between hospitals?
Why does Upper Arm Muscle/Tendon Transfer cost so much more in some cities than others?
What should I ask before scheduling?
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