How Much Does a Knee Replacement Cost? 2026 U.S. Prices, Medicare and Cash Prices

How much a knee replacement costs in the U.S.

Total knee replacement costs $32,570 on average in the U.S., with prices from $14,188 to $49,016 or more, according to price data from New Choice Health, which CareCredit also cites (New Choice Health; CareCredit). New Choice Health says these prices do not include the knee implant itself, which can add $6,000 to $12,000, and it puts a "fair" target price, including the implant, at $24,680 (New Choice Health).

The total is made of several parts, and the hospital and the doctors may bill you separately:

• The hospital or surgery center (facility fee) and the implant.
• The surgeon and anesthesia (CareCredit).
• Before and after: the first visit and tests, physical therapy, medicines such as pain relievers and blood thinners, and equipment like a walker or safety bars (CareCredit).

Hospital vs. outpatient surgery center

Where the operation happens changes the price the most. New Choice Health's national averages are $41,620 at an inpatient hospital and $25,100 at an outpatient facility (New Choice Health). Ask your surgeon whether an outpatient setting is right for you.

Hospital list prices can be far higher than what is actually paid. For hip and knee replacements without major complications, U.S. hospitals billed Medicare an average of $93,184 per stay in 2024, while the average total payment they received was $17,364 (CMS Medicare data, 2024). That figure covers the hospital stay only, not the surgeon, and it combines hips and knees. If you pay yourself, ask for the cash price in writing; never assume the list price is what you have to pay.

Knee replacement cost by city

New Choice Health publishes price ranges for ten large metro areas (New Choice Health):

We found no source that publishes knee replacement prices for every state, so we do not show a state table.

Does insurance cover knee replacement?

Yes, usually, when a doctor recommends it. Health insurance typically covers the surgeon's evaluation, tests, the surgery itself (including the implant, anesthesia, doctor and facility fees), home medical equipment and physical therapy. You still owe your plan's deductible, copays or coinsurance (CareCredit). Check that the hospital, surgeon and anesthesiologist are all in your network, because they bill separately.

Knee replacement cost with Medicare

With Original Medicare, what you pay depends on whether you are admitted:

• Inpatient hospital stay (Part A): you pay the deductible of $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, then $0 for days 1 to 60 (Medicare.gov).
• Surgeon and other doctors (Part B): you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services while you are a hospital inpatient, after the yearly Part B deductible of $283 (Medicare.gov; Medicare.gov). The same 20% generally applies to outpatient care.
• Rehab in a skilled nursing facility: days 1 to 20 cost $0 after the Part A deductible, and days 21 to 100 cost $217 a day in 2026 (Medicare.gov). CareCredit notes that a stay in a rehab center or skilled nursing facility can cost more than $20,000, while outpatient physical therapy usually costs much less (CareCredit).

Paying yourself: HSA, FSA and financing

The IRS counts legal operations that are not cosmetic as medical expenses (IRS Publication 502), so a knee replacement and its physical therapy can generally be paid from an HSA or FSA. A medical credit card such as CareCredit is another option (CareCredit). Read the interest terms carefully.

What changes if you have it abroad

The table above shows what hospitals listed on xcuro quote for knee replacement abroad. A knee replacement is major surgery, so the trip needs more planning than a dental visit:

• Flying home. Flying after surgery raises the risk of blood clots, and the CDC suggests waiting 10 to 14 days after major surgery before air travel (CDC). Ask your surgeon how long to stay and what clot prevention you will get.
• Rehab at home. You will need physical therapy after surgery (CareCredit). Arrange a U.S. physical therapist and an orthopedic surgeon who will see you, because follow-up for complications can be expensive and may not be covered (CDC).
• Insurance and records. Consider travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation, and bring home copies of your records, including the implant details (CDC).

See our knee replacement abroad overview, guides to knee replacement in Turkey and Gurgaon, India, and the knee replacement recovery timeline. Our page on medical tourism insurance explains what extra cover to look for.

How to compare knee replacement quotes

1. Ask for one bundled price that includes the hospital, surgeon, anesthesia and the implant.
2. Ask whether the surgery is inpatient or outpatient, and how many nights are included.
3. Ask which implant brand will be used.
4. Ask what physical therapy and follow-up visits are included.
5. Ask who pays if you need a longer stay or a second operation.
6. Check your deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum, or Medicare costs, before you compare with a cash price.