Over 790,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States each year, making it one of the most common major orthopedic procedures — yet the knee replacement surgery cost still surprises many patients when they see the numbers. Without insurance, a total knee replacement typically ranges from $30,000 to $50,000, though prices at some facilities exceed $70,000. Even with good insurance, out-of-pocket costs can run $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on your plan’s deductible and coinsurance structure. For a broader perspective on surgical costs in the US system, our complete healthcare costs guide covers pricing across dozens of procedures.
Average Knee Replacement Cost in 2024-2025
According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the average total cost of knee replacement surgery — including surgeon, hospital stay, anesthesia, implant, and post-operative rehabilitation — ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 at most hospitals. Medicare’s average reimbursement for a total knee arthroplasty sits around $20,000 to $24,000, which gives a useful baseline for what the procedure actually costs the healthcare system, even for non-Medicare patients.
Partial knee replacement (unicompartmental arthroplasty), which resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee rather than the entire joint, tends to cost 20% to 30% less — typically $20,000 to $35,000 before insurance. Partial replacements involve a smaller implant, shorter surgical time, less blood loss, and a faster recovery, all of which contribute to lower costs. However, not all patients are candidates — the condition of all three knee compartments must be evaluated to determine eligibility.
Bilateral knee replacement (both knees in a single surgery) costs more per session — typically $45,000 to $70,000 — but saves money compared to two separate surgeries when you factor in two hospital admissions, two rounds of anesthesia, and two rehabilitation periods. Most surgeons reserve bilateral replacement for relatively healthy patients under 75 who can tolerate the longer procedure and more demanding recovery.
Knee Replacement Cost With Insurance vs. Without Insurance
Unlike cosmetic procedures, knee replacement is almost always considered medically necessary and is covered by insurance when conservative treatments (physical therapy, injections, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing) have failed. The financial difference between insured and uninsured patients is dramatic.
Without Insurance
Uninsured patients face the full billed charge, which ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 depending on the hospital. However, most hospitals offer significant self-pay discounts — often 30% to 60% off the chargemaster (listed) price. Facilities that participate in bundled pricing programs may offer an all-inclusive package for $15,000 to $30,000, covering everything from pre-operative evaluation through 90 days of post-operative care including physical therapy. The Healthcare Bluebook fair price for total knee replacement is approximately $26,000, which represents a reasonable benchmark for what well-informed patients should aim to pay.
Organizations like the Surgery Center of Oklahoma and similar facilities have pioneered transparent, bundled pricing for joint replacement, advertising all-inclusive cash prices online. These facilities typically charge $15,000 to $25,000 for total knee replacement, significantly below hospital averages. Patients who are willing to travel can access these lower prices, though they should factor in travel costs, lodging during recovery, and the logistics of post-operative follow-up care with a local provider.
With Insurance
Most commercial insurance plans cover knee replacement after documentation of failed conservative treatment. Insurers typically require evidence of at least 3 to 6 months of non-surgical treatment (physical therapy, injections, medication) before authorizing surgery, along with imaging showing significant joint damage.
Your out-of-pocket cost typically includes your annual deductible ($1,000 to $5,000 for most plans) plus coinsurance (commonly 20% of the allowed amount). For a procedure with an allowed amount of $30,000 and 20% coinsurance after a $3,000 deductible, you’d owe roughly $8,400 — unless you hit your out-of-pocket maximum first, which caps your total exposure. Many patients reach their out-of-pocket maximum with knee replacement, effectively capping costs at $6,000 to $9,000 for in-network care. Understanding your plan’s out-of-pocket maximum is the most important step in predicting your actual cost.
What’s Included in the Total Cost?
Knee replacement bills are complex because they involve multiple providers and service categories. Understanding each component helps you anticipate — and potentially negotiate — the total.
- Surgeon’s fee: $5,000 to $10,000 for the orthopedic surgeon performing the procedure
- Hospital/facility fee: $15,000 to $30,000, which includes the operating room, nursing care, medications, and hospital stay (typically 1-3 days, sometimes same-day discharge)
- Anesthesia: $2,000 to $4,000 for anesthesia services (general, spinal, or regional anesthesia)
- Implant (prosthetic): $3,000 to $12,000 depending on the manufacturer, material, and whether it’s a standard or custom-designed implant
- Physical therapy/rehabilitation: $2,000 to $5,000 for post-operative rehabilitation (typically 6-12 weeks of outpatient PT)
- Pre-operative testing: $500 to $1,500 for imaging, blood work, cardiac clearance, and medical optimization
If you need pre-operative MRI imaging to assess soft tissue damage or surgical planning, that adds to the total. Post-operative durable medical equipment (knee brace, continuous passive motion machine, walker) can add $200 to $1,000. Ask your surgeon’s office for a comprehensive cost estimate that covers all expected expenses through your full recovery period, including projected physical therapy sessions.
Cost by Location and Facility Type
Hospital pricing for knee replacement varies enormously even within the same city — a fact that frustrates patients and healthcare economists alike. An academic medical center might charge $50,000 to $70,000, while a specialized orthopedic surgery center across town charges $20,000 to $30,000 for the same procedure performed by an equally qualified surgeon. CMS data shows that prices for the same knee replacement can vary by 300% between hospitals in the same metro area.
Regional trends are predictable: Northeast and West Coast hospitals tend to charge 20% to 40% more than Southeastern and Midwestern facilities. However, the biggest savings often come from choosing an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) over a hospital. Select patients — those who are relatively healthy, have adequate home support, and aren’t at high risk for complications — can have knee replacement performed as an outpatient at an ASC, reducing facility costs by 30% to 50%. The shift toward outpatient knee replacement has accelerated in recent years, with CMS removing total knee replacement from the inpatient-only list in 2018.
Major metropolitan area cost ranges: New York City ($45,000 to $70,000 at hospitals), Los Angeles ($40,000 to $60,000), Chicago ($30,000 to $50,000), Houston ($28,000 to $45,000), Atlanta ($25,000 to $40,000). These ranges represent hospital chargemaster prices before insurance negotiation or self-pay discounts.
How to Save Money on Knee Replacement
Start by verifying that all providers involved — surgeon, anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon, and facility — are in-network with your insurance plan. Out-of-network surprise bills from anesthesiologists or assistant surgeons used to be a major problem, though the No Surprises Act (effective January 2022) now provides significant protection for patients at in-network facilities. Still, confirming in-network status for every provider eliminates the risk entirely.
Request bundled pricing if your insurer offers it, or ask hospitals directly about their self-pay package rates. Programs like the CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative have pushed many hospitals to offer fixed-price packages that include surgery, hospital stay, implant, and rehabilitation — giving patients cost certainty before the procedure.
Consider outpatient knee replacement at an ambulatory surgery center if you’re a good candidate. The facility savings alone can be $5,000 to $15,000. Physical therapy costs add up quickly across 6 to 12 weeks of sessions — verify how many sessions your insurance covers and look into home exercise programs that your physical therapist can design to supplement in-clinic visits, reducing the total number of paid sessions needed.
Timing your surgery strategically can also help. If you’ve already met your deductible for the year (perhaps from other medical expenses), having surgery before December 31st means you won’t need to satisfy a new deductible. Similarly, if you anticipate the surgery will push you to your out-of-pocket maximum, schedule other needed medical care (imaging, specialist visits, dental procedures) later in the same calendar year to take advantage of having reached that cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does knee replacement cost with Medicare?
Medicare Part A covers the hospital stay and Part B covers the surgeon’s fee and outpatient rehabilitation. Under Original Medicare, you’ll pay the Part A deductible ($1,632 in 2024) plus 20% coinsurance on Part B services. With Medigap supplemental coverage (especially Plan F or Plan G), your out-of-pocket cost may be minimal — sometimes under $500 total. Medicare Advantage plans have varying copays and out-of-pocket maximums, typically capping knee replacement costs at $3,000 to $7,000.
Is robotic knee replacement more expensive?
Robotic-assisted knee replacement typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 more than conventional surgery due to the technology, equipment, and additional operating room time involved. Studies from the National Library of Medicine show improved implant alignment and positioning with robotic assistance, but long-term outcome differences compared to conventional techniques are still being studied. Most insurance plans cover robotic-assisted surgery at the same rate as conventional, meaning the extra cost is absorbed by the hospital rather than the patient in most cases.
How long is the hospital stay for knee replacement?
Hospital stays for knee replacement have shortened significantly over the past decade. Most patients now stay 1 to 2 nights, down from 3 to 5 nights a decade ago. About 30% to 40% of eligible patients now have same-day (outpatient) knee replacement and go home the day of surgery with home physical therapy. Shorter stays reduce the facility cost component substantially — each additional hospital day adds approximately $2,000 to $5,000 to the bill.
Can I negotiate the price of knee replacement surgery?
Yes, particularly if you’re uninsured or have a high-deductible plan. Hospitals routinely offer self-pay discounts of 30% to 60% for uninsured patients who ask. Request the hospital’s financial assistance policy and ask for bundled pricing. If you’re insured, you can still manage costs by choosing lower-cost in-network facilities, asking about outpatient options, and verifying that all providers are in-network before the surgery date.
Implant Choices and Their Cost Impact
The prosthetic implant itself accounts for $3,000 to $12,000 of the total cost, and implant selection can significantly influence both price and long-term outcomes. Standard implants from major manufacturers (Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Smith+Nephew, DePuy) use cobalt-chromium alloy and polyethylene bearing surfaces — these are well-studied, reliable, and cost-effective at $3,000 to $6,000.
Custom-made implants, designed using CT or MRI imaging of your specific knee anatomy, cost $8,000 to $12,000 but may offer better fit for patients with unusual anatomy. The evidence on whether custom implants produce meaningfully better outcomes than well-fitted standard implants is still emerging. Gender-specific implants, designed to account for anatomical differences between male and female knees, are offered by some manufacturers but add modest cost. Discuss implant options with your surgeon, keeping in mind that the surgeon’s experience with a particular implant system often matters more than the implant’s brand or marketing claims.
The Bottom Line
Knee replacement surgery is a major expense at $30,000 to $50,000 without insurance, but most patients with coverage pay significantly less — often $3,000 to $9,000 out of pocket after reaching their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. The key to managing costs is choosing an in-network facility (ideally one with bundled pricing or a transparent package rate), verifying all providers are in-network, and exploring outpatient surgery center options if you’re a good candidate. Don’t let cost alone delay a surgery that can dramatically improve your mobility and quality of life — but do invest the time to compare options and understand your financial exposure before scheduling. For related recovery costs, our guide to physical therapy pricing covers what to expect for post-surgical rehabilitation.