Estimated range: $15,559 – $39,186
| Component | Typical Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital facility fee | $10,000-$24,000 | Hospital systems set chargemaster prices arbitrarily high. The same knee replacement billed at $38,000 at a university hospital can cost $15,000 at a surgery center two miles away. |
| Knee implant | $3,000-$8,000 | Premium implants do not produce better outcomes for average patients. Ask your surgeon whether a standard-tier implant fits your age and activity level. |
| Surgeon fee | $2,000-$6,000 | An orthopedic surgeon in private practice typically charges $2,000-$3,500, while a surgeon at a major academic medical center can bill $5,000-$6,000 for the same procedure. |
| Anesthesia | $1,500-$3,000 | Knee replacement anesthesia runs 90-120 minutes. Anesthesiologists bill by time, so complex cases push this line item toward the higher end. |
| Post-op physical therapy | $500-$2,500 | Most knee replacement patients need 8-12 weeks of PT. Independent PT clinics save $50-$100 per session compared to hospital-based rehab. |
The hospital, surgeon, and anesthesiologist all bill separately. Call each one before your procedure date and ask specifically for the self-pay or uninsured discount, referencing CPT 27447 for the surgical portion.
Ambulatory surgery centers do routine knee replacements every day and charge significantly less than hospital outpatient departments. Get at least two quotes from surgery centers in your metro area before committing to a hospital.
Non-profit hospitals must offer charity care to uninsured patients below certain income thresholds. Apply before your procedure because most hospitals will not retroactively apply assistance to a bill that has already been paid.
Some hospitals offer bundled rates that cover the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and PT for one flat fee, often $18,000-$25,000. Ask the billing department if a bundled cash price is available.
Call the hospital billing department and say: 'Hi, I am a self-pay patient looking for a total knee replacement. The CPT code is 27447. Can you give me your self-pay or cash price for the facility fee? Does anesthesia and the surgeon bill separately?' Write down the name of the rep and today's date.
Before your surgery is scheduled, request a Good Faith Estimate listing every provider and every expected charge in writing. If your final bill comes in $400 or more above that estimate, federal law gives you the right to dispute the difference. Full guide →
CareCredit is accepted at most hospitals and orthopedic surgery centers. Prosper Healthcare Lending offers fixed-rate loans up to $65,000 with terms up to 84 months, which brings a $20,000 procedure to roughly $270 per month.