Cash prices 574 hospitals

Joint replacement cost without insurance

The median cash price for Knee replacement is $15,243.98 across 574 US hospitals that publish a self-pay price. Most hospitals (the middle 80%) charge between $3,164.83 and $40,172.15.

Knee, hip and shoulder replacements are among the most expensive planned operations. The hospital price in the price files usually covers the operating room, the implant and the hospital stay or recovery, while the surgeon and anesthesia bill separately. More joint replacements are now done as outpatient surgery, and ambulatory surgery centers and direct-contract programs often quote one bundled cash price.

Collected Nov 10, 2026 One price per hospital, from each hospital's own price file

Joint replacement prices by type

27447 is a total knee replacement and is used in the state table; 27130 is a total hip replacement; 23472 is a total shoulder replacement; 27446 is a partial knee replacement; and 27132 is a hip replacement after earlier hip surgery.

ProcedureHospitalsMiddle 80%MedianMedicare
Knee replacement Total knee replacement · code 27447 574 $3,164.83–$40,172.15 $15,243.98 —
Hip replacement Total hip replacement · code 27130 541 $3,077.75–$43,167.63 $14,715.00 —
Shoulder replacement Total shoulder replacement · code 23472 505 $3,049.64–$47,638.89 $17,296.17 —
Partial knee replacement Partial knee replacement (one compartment) · code 27446 382 $2,533.35–$35,951.15 $15,226.08 —
Hip replacement after prior surgery Hip replacement after an earlier hip surgery (conversion to total hip) · code 27132 215 $2,813.84–$36,518.82 $12,095.00 —
Procedure The service and its billing code (CPT or HCPCS). Opens the comparison of every hospital that prices it. More
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Middle 80% Cash prices of most hospitals: a tenth of hospitals charge less than the first number (P10), a tenth charge more than the second (P90). More
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
Medicare Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same outpatient service, including the patient's share, before the local wage adjustment. A yardstick, not a price you can pay. More

What the hospital price covers

The hospital price is usually the facility fee for the operation. The surgeon, the anesthesiologist and follow-up visits bill separately, and so may physical therapy and nights in the hospital; ask whether the implant is included.

“Most charge” is the middle 80% of hospitals (10th to 90th percentile), so one mistyped line in a hospital file cannot stretch it. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price for the code. “Medicare” is Medicare's 2026 national base rate for the same service outside a hospital stay, including the patient's share (the hospital outpatient, lab or hospital clinic rate); “median 3×” means the median cash price is three times that rate.

Knee replacement: median by state

States with at least 5 hospitals, cheapest median first. Pick a state for its joint replacement prices and cheapest hospitals.

Knee replacement: median by metro area

Metro areas with at least 10 hospitals.

Paying cash: what to do

  • Ask for a bundled self-pay price that includes the surgeon, anesthesia, facility and follow-up visits; hospital file prices usually cover only the facility.
  • Ask whether the implant, physical therapy and any overnight stay are included.
  • Surgery centers and direct-pay programs often publish one all-in price that is far below hospital prices.

Questions

How much does a joint replacement cost without insurance?

The median hospital cash price for Knee replacement (code 27447) is $15,243.98 across 574 US hospitals that publish a self-pay price; most charge $3,164.83 to $40,172.15. By state, the median runs from $5,662.91 in Arkansas to $42,936.20 in Ohio. The hospital price is usually the facility fee for the operation. The surgeon, the anesthesiologist and follow-up visits bill separately, and so may physical therapy and nights in the hospital; ask whether the implant is included.

How long does a joint replacement last?

Most modern knee and hip implants last 15 to 20 years or more.

Can joint replacement be done as an outpatient?

Yes, for many healthy patients; others stay one or two nights.

Does Medicare cover joint replacement?

Yes, when it is medically necessary. Outpatient knee and hip replacement are both covered.