Over 450,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year, making it one of the most common orthopedic procedures according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The cost of hip replacement surgery typically ranges from $32,000 to $45,000 at a hospital, though prices at specialized ambulatory surgery centers can be dramatically lower — sometimes under $20,000. Your out-of-pocket share depends on your insurance plan, your deductible status, and where the surgery is performed.
Surgical costs are among the most variable healthcare expenses in America. Our complete guide to healthcare costs explains how pricing works and how to protect yourself from unexpected bills.
Average Total Cost Breakdown
The total cost of hip replacement includes multiple components that are billed separately. Based on CMS data and industry pricing surveys, here’s what makes up the typical bill at a hospital facility.
The implant itself — the prosthetic hip joint consisting of a femoral stem, femoral head, acetabular cup, and liner — costs $3,000 to $12,000 depending on the manufacturer, materials (ceramic, metal, cross-linked polyethylene), and type. Premium implants from major manufacturers like Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, and DePuy Synthes tend to be at the higher end. Surgeon fees run $4,000 to $10,000, reflecting the complexity of the procedure and the surgeon’s experience level. Hospital facility fees — covering the operating room, nursing care, room and board, medications, and supplies — range from $15,000 to $25,000 for a typical 1-to-3-day stay. Anesthesia (general or spinal with sedation) adds $2,000 to $4,000, and physical therapy during the hospital stay contributes $500 to $1,500.
Total costs at a hospital average $32,000 to $45,000 nationally. However, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) now perform many hip replacements for $18,000 to $28,000 — a dramatic savings enabled by advances in surgical technique, pain management protocols, and patient selection criteria that allow same-day or next-day discharge. The Healthcare Bluebook fair price for total hip replacement is approximately $28,000 in most markets, providing a useful benchmark for comparison shopping.
What You’ll Pay With Medicare
Medicare covers hip replacement as a medically necessary procedure when conservative treatments (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, activity modification) have failed to provide adequate relief. Under Original Medicare, you’ll pay the Part A deductible ($1,632 in 2024) for the inpatient stay and 20% coinsurance on Part B-covered services (surgeon fees, anesthesia) after the Part B deductible ($240). For a total cost of $35,000, your Part B coinsurance could be $3,000 to $4,000 — a significant amount that makes supplemental coverage highly valuable.
CMS bundles hip replacement under its Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model in many markets. This bundled payment approach holds hospitals accountable for total costs during the surgery and 90-day recovery period — including readmissions and post-acute care. The CJR model has helped reduce average Medicare costs for hip replacement by approximately 3% to 5% while maintaining or improving quality outcomes, benefiting patients through shorter stays and more coordinated care.
With a Medigap supplement (such as Plan G), your total out-of-pocket cost may be as low as the Part B deductible — roughly $240. Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual in-network costs at $8,850 (2025), so even with substantial coinsurance, your total exposure is limited and predictable.
What You’ll Pay With Private Insurance
For patients with employer or marketplace insurance, the key numbers are your deductible, coinsurance rate, and out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP). Given the high total cost of hip replacement, most patients will reach their MOOP with this surgery alone, making the MOOP your effective price tag for the year.
On a plan with a $7,000 out-of-pocket maximum, your total cost is capped at $7,000 regardless of whether the hospital charges $32,000 or $45,000. If you’ve already accumulated expenses toward your deductible and MOOP earlier in the plan year — through specialist visits, imaging, or other medical expenses — your surgical costs will be even lower. Timing your surgery in the same plan year as other significant medical expenses can maximize the benefit of reaching your MOOP, effectively making the surgery “cheaper” by concentrating expenses.
If your surgery is scheduled early in the plan year and you haven’t yet met your deductible, you’ll pay the full deductible plus coinsurance up to the MOOP. On a plan with a $3,000 deductible and 20% coinsurance, a $40,000 surgery triggers the full $3,000 deductible plus 20% of $37,000 ($7,400) — but the MOOP kicks in to cap your total at whatever your plan’s maximum is. With a $7,000 MOOP, you’d pay $7,000 total.
Anterior vs Posterior Approach: Cost Differences
The two main surgical approaches — anterior (from the front) and posterior (from the back) — have slightly different cost profiles, though the bigger difference is in recovery experience.
The anterior approach has gained significant popularity over the past decade because it involves less muscle disruption, often enables faster recovery, and may result in shorter hospital stays. Some surgeons charge a modest premium ($500 to $1,000) for the anterior approach, and the technique requires a specialized operating table (the Hana table or equivalent) that not all facilities have. However, the real savings come from the shorter hospital stay — anterior approach patients often go home the same day or the next morning, reducing facility charges by $3,000 to $10,000 compared to a 2-to-3-day posterior approach stay.
Not all patients are candidates for the anterior approach — factors like body habitus (particularly higher BMI), the complexity of the reconstruction, and the specific anatomy of the hip joint influence the decision. Both approaches achieve excellent long-term outcomes, and your surgeon’s experience with their preferred technique matters more than the approach itself.
Robotic-assisted hip replacement, which uses systems like the Mako robotic arm, adds $2,000 to $5,000 to the cost. Early evidence from orthopedic literature suggests improved implant positioning accuracy with robotic assistance, which could translate to better long-term outcomes and reduced revision rates. However, long-term comparative data is still accumulating, and many experienced surgeons achieve excellent results without robotic assistance.
How to Reduce Your Hip Replacement Costs
Price shopping for hip replacement is both highly impactful and entirely feasible — the price variation for this procedure is among the highest of any common surgery. The same operation can cost $20,000 at one facility and $60,000 at another in the same metro area. Use your insurer’s cost estimator tool, Healthcare Bluebook, or FAIR Health Consumer to compare facilities in your area before making a decision.
Consider ambulatory surgery centers seriously. Many orthopedic surgeons now perform hip replacements at ASCs, which charge significantly less than hospitals due to lower overhead, more efficient scheduling, and streamlined operations. If your surgeon doesn’t operate at an ASC, ask why — and consider seeking a second opinion from one who does. ASC-based hip replacements have shown comparable or better outcomes for appropriate candidates in published studies, with lower infection rates and higher patient satisfaction scores in many cases.
Pre-surgical optimization — sometimes called “prehabilitation” — involves strengthening the muscles around your hip, improving cardiovascular fitness, and optimizing nutrition before surgery. Research from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows that prehabilitation reduces hospital stays, lowers complication rates, and accelerates recovery. Fewer complications and shorter stays directly reduce costs, and many patients who undergo prehab qualify for same-day or next-day discharge programs.
Finally, confirm that every provider involved in your care is in-network. This includes the surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility, any consulting physicians, and the physical therapy provider you’ll use for outpatient rehab after discharge. The No Surprises Act protects you in many situations, but verifying network status in advance avoids potential disputes and ensures all costs count toward your MOOP.
Post-Surgery Costs to Budget For
The surgical bill isn’t the only expense. Outpatient physical therapy after hip replacement typically involves 12 to 24 sessions over 6 to 12 weeks. Each session costs $75 to $200 with insurance copays of $20 to $75 per visit. Total PT costs with insurance run $240 to $1,800 depending on your copay and number of sessions. Prescription medications for pain management ($20 to $100 for a short course), blood clot prevention ($30 to $200 for 2 to 6 weeks depending on the medication), and any needed assistive devices — a walker ($50 to $150), raised toilet seat ($30 to $80), and grabber tool ($15 to $25) — add another $150 to $500 to your total out-of-pocket spending.
Some patients require home health visits for the first week or two after surgery, particularly those who live alone or have limited help at home. Home health visits cost $100 to $250 each, and most insurance plans cover a limited number of visits after qualifying surgery. Medicare covers home health services when ordered by a physician and provided by a Medicare-certified agency. If you’ve already hit your MOOP from the surgery itself, these post-surgical costs may be covered at 100% for the remainder of the plan year.
Follow-up imaging — typically X-rays at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year — costs $50 to $300 per set with insurance. Your surgeon’s follow-up office visits are usually included in the surgical fee (under a “global period” that covers 90 days of post-operative care), so those shouldn’t generate additional professional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to walk normally after hip replacement?
Most patients walk with a walker or crutches within 24 hours of surgery and transition to a cane within two to four weeks. Walking without any assistive device typically happens at four to eight weeks, depending on surgical approach and individual healing. Returning to fully normal gait — without any limp or compensatory pattern — usually takes three to six months, with continued improvement possible up to a year. For a deeper dive into recovery timelines, see our article on walking recovery after hip surgery.
Is hip replacement surgery worth the cost?
Hip replacement is consistently rated one of the most cost-effective surgeries in medicine. Research published in The Journal of Arthroplasty shows significant, lasting improvements in pain, mobility, and quality of life. Patient satisfaction rates exceed 95% at one year. For patients with severe hip arthritis who have exhausted conservative treatments, modern implants typically provide 15 to 25 years of improved function, and many last even longer.
Can I have hip replacement at an ambulatory surgery center?
Yes, and it’s increasingly common. CMS approved total hip replacement as an ASC-eligible procedure in 2020, removing it from the “inpatient only” list. Many surgeons now perform the procedure on an outpatient basis for appropriate candidates. Ideal ASC candidates are generally under 75, have a BMI under 40, don’t have significant cardiac or pulmonary conditions, and have adequate home support for recovery. ASC costs are typically 30% to 50% less than hospital costs for the same procedure.
The Bottom Line
Hip replacement surgery costs $32,000 to $45,000 at hospitals and $18,000 to $28,000 at ambulatory surgery centers. With insurance, your cost is typically capped at your annual out-of-pocket maximum — usually $4,000 to $9,200 for most plan types. Compare facility prices aggressively, ask about ASC options, invest in prehabilitation, and time your surgery to maximize insurance benefits. For other major surgical costs, see our guides on open heart surgery and deviated septum surgery costs.