What Does Knee Replacement Cost?

Knee replacement surgery is done to people who have encountered chronic inflammation or deformity or extreme pain or when movement is hindered by arthritis or injury in the knee. The surgery includes the substitution of the joint of a knee with a prosthetic. The femur (the thigh bone) is then changed with a metal shell and the tibia (the stronger of the two bones in the leg) with a plastic piece with a stem. In some instances, a plastic "button" is being added beneath the surface of the kneecap.

What does knee replacement cost?

The cost of knee replacement surgery depends on your location. In the United States, it is projected to be about $40,000. The uninsured can have a less expensive substitute which is to look into other countries that knee replacement surgery is made available. For example in Mexico, the cost is $12,500. In Costa Rico, it is $10,500. In India, it is $7000. These, along with the other countries where knee replacement surgery is presented, do not only have excellent facilities but outstanding surgeons who have experienced working in Europe and United States as well. However, if the uninsured decided to go through the procedure still in the United States, they are entitled to have discounts given by some medical establishments. Uninsured patients going into The Tulane University Hospital and Clinic gets a discounted cost between $29,000 and $34,000, while in Kapiolani Medical center gives a discounted price of $20,000 to $24,000 that originally costs $33,000.

If the patient has health insurance and the doctor orders the surgery, he is sure to pay less than an uninsured should because the insurance covers the expenses of knee replacement surgery. However, if the procedure is only done for experimental purposes the insurance will not pay for the costs. Out-of-pocket costs will be determined by the deductibles and coinsurance whether it is a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire charges $4,500 out of pocket or $3,000 or even less for a patient undergoing a knee replacement surgery who is insured with Medicare.

When you want to get this procedure done, you're going to want to make sure that you discuss your options, as well as look into your insurance plan. By shopping around, you will find that you will get the best price for your surgeries.