How Much Does a Knee Replacement Cost in 2026?
Without insurance, a total knee replacement typically costs $15,000 to $50,000. With insurance, most people pay about $2,000 to $7,500 out of pocket, depending on their plan and where they go.
- Cash/self-pay bundles typically run $15,000-$50,000; bundled outpatient packages often start around $18,000 with all fees included.
- An ambulatory surgery center is the lowest-cost venue; Medicare pays about $12,000 there vs about $15,700 at a hospital outpatient department.
- Billed/chargemaster charges (median ~$68,000, up to $150,000+) are far above what insurers, Medicare, or negotiated cash payers actually pay, so never treat the list price as final.
Knee Replacement Cost by Where You Go
Cash / self-pay price ranges. Where you have the procedure is usually the biggest factor.
| Where | Cash price |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $16,000 to $30,000 |
| Bundled cash-price surgery center | $18,000 to $25,000 |
| Hospital outpatient (same-day discharge) | $22,000 to $45,000 |
| Hospital inpatient (overnight stay) | $30,000 to $60,000 |
Lowest price: A bundled cash-price ambulatory surgery center (ASC) that posts an all-in package price
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What Makes Up the Bill
Total billed before insurance is typically $40,000 to $120,000. It is usually split across:
Medicare's Procedure Price Lookup (2025) for CPT 27447 (total knee arthroplasty) shows roughly $12,000 total at an ambulatory surgery center and about $15,700 at a hospital outpatient department, with the patient owing roughly $2,400-$3,100 after the Part B deductible. Inpatient stays are instead paid under Part A via the DRG, not this fee schedule. Physical therapy after a knee replacement is usually billed separately and can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
With vs. Without Insurance
Without insurance (self-pay)
$15,000 to $50,000
Ask for the cash or prompt-pay price up front. It is often far below the billed amount.
With insurance (out of pocket)
$2,000 to $7,500
With commercial insurance, an in-network knee replacement leaves you owing your deductible plus coinsurance up to your annual out-of-pocket maximum, commonly $2,000-$7,500 total. Confirm the surgeon, facility, AND anesthesiologist are all in-network to avoid balance/surprise bills, and get prior authorization. If uninsured, ask for the self-pay/prompt-pay discount and compare against a bundled cash package, both are usually far below the billed charges. Medicare beneficiaries owe about $2,400-$3,100 in outpatient settings unless a Medigap plan covers the coinsurance.
Prices vary widely by region. Knee replacement in the Northeast and on the West Coast averages roughly 20-40% more than in the South or Midwest, driven by higher facility and labor costs. Within a single metro, hospital-reported cash prices for CPT 27447 can differ by 10x or more, so shopping locally matters more than your region alone.
How to Pay Less
Ask for an all-in bundled cash price
Marketplaces like MDsave and bundled surgery centers list outpatient knee replacement packages that include the surgeon, anesthesia, facility, and implant with no surprise bills. Bundled ASC packages routinely beat hospital pricing by 30-50%.
Choose an ASC over a hospital when eligible
For healthy candidates, an ambulatory surgery center carries a much lower facility fee than a hospital outpatient department (Medicare: about $12,000 vs about $15,700). Ask your surgeon if you qualify for outpatient/same-day surgery.
Request the self-pay/prompt-pay discount in writing
Uninsured patients are billed the full chargemaster rate, often 2-3x the negotiated rate. Hospitals commonly cut 30-60% for cash paid upfront. Get the discounted all-in estimate before scheduling.
Compare hospitals using price-transparency files
Federal rules require hospitals to post machine-readable cash prices. Reported CPT 27447 prices range widely between facilities, so shopping 3-4 local hospitals and surgery centers can save thousands.
Do not forget the physical therapy bill
Recovery from a knee replacement usually needs several weeks of physical therapy, billed separately. Ask whether it is bundled, and if not, get the per-visit self-pay rate and the expected number of visits up front.
Check hospital charity care, or get the bill reduced
Uninsured or lower income? Many hospitals offer free or discounted care. Use the charity care finder to see if you qualify nearby. Already billed? CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates it down, with no fee unless we save you money.
Get your exact cost for your ZIP and insurance
Free, no signup. Enter the procedure, your ZIP code, and insurance to see what you would likely pay.
Open the cost estimatorFrequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover a knee replacement?
Yes. Total knee replacement is medically necessary and covered by essentially all commercial plans, Medicare, and Medicaid when you meet criteria (documented arthritis or joint damage and failed conservative treatment). Your out-of-pocket is your deductible plus coinsurance, capped by your plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum, typically $2,000 to $7,500.
Why is the billed amount so much higher than what people actually pay?
The chargemaster (list) price is a starting point almost no one pays. Median billed charges for major joint replacement run around $68,000 and can exceed $150,000, but insurers pay negotiated rates and Medicare pays roughly $12,000 to $16,000 in outpatient settings. Cash patients should always negotiate off the billed amount.
Is an outpatient (ASC) knee replacement safe and cheaper?
For healthy patients, yes. Since Medicare removed total knee replacement from the inpatient-only list and added it to the ASC-payable list, many are done same-day at ambulatory surgery centers with comparable outcomes and lower facility fees. It is typically the cheapest venue. Higher-risk patients may still need an inpatient stay.
What does the price include, and what might be extra?
A bundled price usually covers the surgeon, anesthesia, facility, and implant. Watch for separate bills for pre-op labs and imaging, the anesthesiologist if out-of-network, physical therapy (often several weeks after knee surgery), and any post-op complications or extra nights. Always ask what is and is not included.
How much does Medicare pay for CPT 27447?
In 2025 Medicare's total approved amount for a total knee replacement is about $12,000 at an ambulatory surgery center and about $15,700 at a hospital outpatient department, with the patient responsible for roughly $2,400 to $3,100 after the Part B deductible (a Medigap plan can cover that). Inpatient cases are paid under Part A via the DRG instead.
More Cost Guides
Sources
- Medicare.gov Procedure Price Lookup (CPT 27447, ASC and hospital outpatient rates, 2025)
- CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule / RVUs (CPT 27447 professional fee)
- MDsave and bundled surgery-center outpatient knee replacement package pricing
- Hospital price-transparency (machine-readable file) cash rates for CPT 27447
- Healthcare Bluebook fair-price data and PMC study on chargemaster variation (median ~$68,000 for major joint arthroplasty)
- GoodRx knee replacement cost breakdown (surgeon, anesthesia, implant, facility components)
Prices are national estimates for 2026 and vary by location, provider, and your specific plan. Last updated September 12, 2026.