Knee Replacement: What Should It Cost?
Total knee replacement is one of the most common elective surgeries — and one of the most heavily billed. Hospital charges can range from $30,000 to over $100,000 for a procedure with Medicare rates around $10,000–15,000.
Medicare Rates for Common Knee Replacement Codes
These are the 2025 national Medicare reimbursement rates. Hospital charges for uninsured patients are typically 3–10x higher.
| CPT Code | Description | Medicare (Non-Facility) | Medicare (Facility) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27447 | Total Knee Replacement | $1,286.89 | $1,286.89 |
| 27130 | Total Hip Replacement | $1,288.69 | $1,288.69 |
| 27486 | Revision Total Knee Replacement | $1,410.31 | $1,410.31 |
| 99232 | Subsequent Hospital Care (per day) | $78.49 | $78.49 |
| 99238 | Hospital Discharge Day | $80.85 | $80.85 |
| 20610 | Joint Injection — Large | $65.73 | $45.18 |
Common Billing Errors for Knee Replacement
- !Implant cost billed at chargemaster rates (often 3–5x actual cost)
- !Physical therapy sessions billed at hospital rates vs. outpatient rates
- !Daily hospital charges that don't match actual length of stay
- !Anesthesia time overcharged (billed in 15-min units — check the time)
How to Negotiate Your Knee Replacement Bill
- 1For elective surgeries, get price estimates in advance and negotiate before the procedure
- 2Ask specifically about the implant cost and request the invoice from the manufacturer
- 3Challenge any daily room charges for days you were discharged or admitted
- 4Anesthesia is often billed separately — request the time records and check them
Related Guides
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Analyze My BillMedicare rates shown are 2025 national averages from the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. Rates vary by geographic locality. This page is for informational purposes only.