Get a realistic 2026 all-in estimate for knee replacement by procedure type, insurance status, and facility — then connect with board-certified orthopedic surgeons near you.
Procedure Type
Insurance Status
Facility Type
Location
Get an instant estimate—add your ZIP for local pricing
Get an instant estimate—add your ZIP for local pricing
Disclaimer: This calculator provides cost estimates for informational purposes only. It is not medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Actual procedure costs vary by provider, location, insurance coverage, complications, and individual medical factors. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for medical guidance. Insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs should be verified directly with your insurer and the provider before scheduling any procedure. This estimate does not include prescription medications, follow-up care, complications, or related ancillary services unless explicitly stated. No outcome, safety, or success rate is implied or guaranteed.
Did You Know?
Knee replacement costs $20,000–$40,000 for partial and $35,000–$70,000 for total procedures when uninsured in 2026. With Medicare or private insurance, out-of-pocket typically runs $5,000–$12,000. Bilateral replacement ranges $60,000–$110,000 uninsured; revision surgery $50,000–$90,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
How much does knee replacement cost in 2026?
Knee replacement costs $20,000 to $110,000 all-in in 2026 depending on the procedure type, insurance status, and geographic market. An uninsured patient undergoing a standard total knee arthroplasty (TKA) typically faces $35,000 to $70,000 in total billed charges. Partial (unicompartmental) replacement runs $20,000 to $40,000. Bilateral replacement—both knees—costs $60,000 to $110,000. Revision surgery to correct or replace a prior implant ranges $50,000 to $90,000. With Medicare or employer health insurance, the patient's out-of-pocket share typically falls between $5,000 and $12,000 after deductibles and coinsurance, far below the billed rate.
Insured out-of-pocket (Medicare or private): typically $5,000–$12,000
Procedure Type
Uninsured All-In (2026)
Insured Out-of-Pocket
Partial (unicompartmental)
$20,000–$40,000
$3,000–$7,200
Total (TKA)
$35,000–$70,000
$5,250–$12,600
Bilateral (both knees)
$60,000–$110,000
$9,000–$19,800
Revision
$50,000–$90,000
$7,500–$16,200
Q
Does health insurance cover knee replacement?
Yes. Knee replacement for osteoarthritis or significant cartilage damage is a covered medical benefit under Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial health insurance plans when conservative treatment has been tried and failed. Medicare Part A covers the inpatient hospital stay and Part B covers physician fees in outpatient or ASC settings. For 2026, a traditional Medicare beneficiary without a supplement can expect $4,000 to $8,000 in cost-sharing on a total knee replacement. With a Medigap Plan G supplement, the coinsurance drops to near zero. Commercial employer plans and marketplace plans cover knee replacement but require pre-authorization; out-of-pocket varies by plan deductible, coinsurance rate, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Medicare Part A + Part B: covered; typical out-of-pocket $4,000–$8,000 without supplement
Medigap Plan G: reduces Medicare out-of-pocket to near $257 (Part B deductible only)
Commercial employer plans: covered with pre-authorization; out-of-pocket varies by deductible
Marketplace plans: covered; out-of-pocket depends on metal tier and specific plan design
Always obtain pre-authorization before scheduling to confirm coverage and in-network status
Insurance Type
Coverage Status
Typical Out-of-Pocket (TKA)
Uninsured / self-pay
Full billed rate
$35,000–$70,000
Medicare (no supplement)
Covered with cost-sharing
$4,000–$8,000
Medicare + Medigap Plan G
Covered with minimal share
$257–$500
Employer or marketplace plan
Covered with pre-auth
$5,000–$12,000 (varies)
Q
What is the cost difference between partial and total knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement (unicompartmental) typically costs $15,000 to $30,000 less than total knee replacement when comparing uninsured billed rates. Partial replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment, requires a smaller implant, takes 30 to 60 minutes less in the operating room, and usually allows same-day discharge or one-night stay. These efficiencies translate to the $20,000 to $40,000 uninsured range versus $35,000 to $70,000 for total. However, fewer than 20 percent of knee replacement candidates qualify for partial replacement because it requires isolated single-compartment damage, intact ligaments, and minimal deformity. A surgeon assessment and imaging are necessary to determine eligibility.
Partial replacement uninsured: $20,000–$40,000 (15–30% less than TKA)
Total replacement uninsured: $35,000–$70,000
Partial requires isolated single-compartment damage and intact ligaments
Fewer than 20% of candidates qualify for partial replacement
OR time for partial is 30–60 minutes shorter, reducing anesthesia and facility fees
Factor
Partial (UKA)
Total (TKA)
Uninsured cost
$20,000–$40,000
$35,000–$70,000
OR time
1.0–1.5 hours
1.5–2.5 hours
Hospital stay
Same-day or 1 night
1–2 nights
Candidate eligibility
<20% of patients
>80% of patients
Q
Can knee replacement be performed at an ambulatory surgery center?
Yes, for eligible patients. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have become a primary setting for elective knee replacement in the US, particularly for patients under age 65. To qualify for ASC-based knee replacement, most programs require: ASA physical status I or II (no significant systemic disease), BMI under 40, no significant cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities, a responsible adult at home for the first 24 to 48 hours, and adequate home support for ambulation. When those criteria are met, ASC-based knee replacement has demonstrated outcomes equivalent to hospital-based procedures in registry studies, and facility fees are typically 20 to 30 percent lower.
ASC facility fee: typically 20–30% below hospital outpatient fee for the same procedure
Eligibility requires ASA I–II health status, BMI below 40, no major cardiopulmonary conditions
Same-day discharge is the standard ASC model for qualifying patients
Confirm ASC holds AAAHC or Joint Commission accreditation before scheduling
Not all patients qualify; comorbidities, obesity, or age may require hospital setting
Setting
Relative Facility Cost
Typical Stay
Ambulatory surgery center (ASC)
Baseline (lower)
Same-day discharge
Hospital outpatient
10–20% above ASC
Same-day or 1 night
Hospital inpatient
20–40% above ASC
1–2 nights
Q
What costs are included in a knee replacement estimate?
A complete all-in knee replacement estimate covers four main components: the surgeon's fee (15 to 25 percent of the total billed charge), the surgical facility fee (45 to 60 percent), the anesthesiologist's or CRNA's fee (8 to 15 percent), and the implant cost (10 to 20 percent). This calculator targets those four all-in components. It does not include physical therapy (typically $150 to $250 per session for 6 to 12 weeks), prescription pain management ($150 to $500 total), post-surgical durable medical equipment such as a walker or knee brace ($100 to $400), or follow-up imaging. Budget an additional $3,000 to $8,000 for these recovery-period costs on top of the procedure estimate.
Surgeon fee: 15–25% of total; varies by specialty training and geographic market
Surgical facility fee: 45–60% of total; hospital vs ASC is the key variable
Anesthesia fee: 8–15% of total; separate from surgeon and facility
Implant cost: 10–20% of total; standard vs premium robotically-assisted system
A standard total knee arthroplasty at a hospital for an uninsured self-pay patient carries the full billed rate of $35,000 to $70,000. This all-in figure covers surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility, and implant. Uninsured patients can request the hospital's cash-pay or self-pay rate, which is often 30 to 50 percent below the chargemaster figure before negotiations.
2Total knee replacement, insured, hospital
Inputs
Procedure typeTotal knee replacement (TKA)
Insurance statusInsured (Medicare, private, or employer plan)
FacilityHospital
Result
Estimated out-of-pocket$5,250 – $12,600
Gross billed rate$35,000–$70,000
Insurance share (estimated)$22,400–$64,750
With Medicare or commercial insurance at 15 to 18 percent out-of-pocket on the contracted rate, a total knee replacement at a hospital results in $5,250 to $12,600 in patient cost-sharing. The base range of $35,000 to $70,000 multiplied by the insured multiplier [0.15–0.18] gives the out-of-pocket estimate. Pre-authorization and in-network verification are essential before scheduling.
3Partial knee replacement, uninsured, ambulatory surgery center
A partial knee replacement at an ASC for an uninsured patient produces the lowest uninsured cost scenario in this calculator. The base range of $20,000 to $40,000 is reduced by the ASC facility multiplier [0.70–0.80], yielding $14,000 to $32,000 all-in. Eligibility for partial replacement and ASC-based surgery must be confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon.
The uninsured all-in cost is the sum of four separately billed components. Always request an itemized estimate; a low headline figure may exclude implant or anesthesia, which together can represent 20 to 35 percent of the total bill.
Where:
Surgeon fee= 15–25% of total; varies by fellowship training, geographic market, and reputation
Facility fee= 45–60% of total; hospital inpatient is highest, ASC is 20–30% lower
Anesthesia fee= 8–15% of total; billed separately by anesthesiologist or CRNA
Implant cost= 10–20% of total; standard cemented polyethylene vs premium robotic system
For insured patients, the out-of-pocket is the contracted rate multiplied by the patient's cost-sharing percentage (deductible + coinsurance, up to the plan's out-of-pocket maximum). This calculator uses 15 to 18 percent as a representative range for Medicare and commercial plans.
Where:
Billed rate= Gross chargemaster amount; the starting point before contracted rate reductions
0.15–0.18= Representative patient share after deductible and coinsurance for Medicare/employer plans
Out-of-pocket max= Plan ceiling; most commercial plans cap patient cost-sharing at $8,000–$9,100 for 2026
Ambulatory surgery center savings
ASC total = Hospital total × 0.70 to 0.80
Ambulatory surgery centers charge 20 to 30 percent below hospital outpatient rates for the same procedure, driven by lower facility overhead, higher volume specialization, and reduced administrative complexity.
Where:
Hospital total= All-in billed cost at a hospital outpatient or inpatient setting
0.70–0.80= ASC facility cost factor; lower for high-volume ASCs, higher for lower-volume community centers
Knee Replacement Costs in 2026: What You Actually Pay by Procedure Type, Insurance, and Facility
1
Knee Replacement Costs in 2026: What the Numbers Actually Mean
The figures produced by this calculator are informational cost estimates based on 2026 US market data. As set out in the disclaimer above, actual procedure costs vary significantly by surgeon, hospital system, insurance plan, geographic market, implant manufacturer, and individual medical factors that no online tool can assess. With that context established, here is what the US knee replacement market looks like in 2026: an uninsured patient undergoing a standard total knee arthroplasty (TKA) typically faces an all-in bill of $35,000 to $70,000, covering the surgeon's fee, the surgical facility, anesthesia, and the implant. A partial knee replacement (unicompartmental) runs $20,000 to $40,000 uninsured. Bilateral replacement — replacing both knees in one or staged sessions — costs $60,000 to $110,000, and revision surgery to correct or replace a prior implant ranges $50,000 to $90,000.
That price spread within each procedure type reflects three main sources of variation. Geography is the largest single driver: hospitals and surgery centers in major metro areas — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami — bill 20 to 35 percent above national averages, driven by higher real estate costs, physician salaries, and market norms. The second source is facility type: ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) consistently cost 20 to 30 percent less than hospital inpatient settings for eligible patients, largely because their overhead structure is simpler and their volume specialization allows efficiency that general hospitals cannot match. The third source is the implant itself: a standard cemented polyethylene implant may cost the hospital $1,500 to $3,000 in supply cost, while a premium robotically assisted implant system adds $2,000 to $6,000 to the hospital's cost basis, a difference that flows through to the patient's bill.
The all-in figure this calculator targets includes the four cost components that constitute a complete knee replacement episode: the surgeon's fee (typically 15 to 25 percent of the total billed charge), the surgical facility fee (45 to 60 percent), the anesthesiologist's or CRNA's fee (8 to 15 percent), and the implant cost (10 to 20 percent). These four components appear as separate line items on most hospital bills, and the ratio between them shifts based on facility type, geography, and contract structure. This estimate does not include physical therapy (typically $150 to $250 per session, 6 to 12 weeks), prescription pain management ($150 to $500 total), durable medical equipment such as a walker or continuous passive motion device ($100 to $400 rental), or any extended hospital stay beyond the standard protocol. Budget an additional $3,000 to $8,000 to cover these ancillary costs.
Knee replacement all-in cost by procedure type, US, 2026. Insured figures are estimated out-of-pocket at 15–18% of billed rate.
Procedure Type
Uninsured All-In (2026)
Insured Out-of-Pocket (Est.)
Partial (unicompartmental)
$20,000–$40,000
$3,000–$7,200
Total (TKA)
$35,000–$70,000
$5,250–$12,600
Bilateral (both knees)
$60,000–$110,000
$9,000–$19,800
Revision
$50,000–$90,000
$7,500–$16,200
Always request an itemized estimate that separates surgeon fee, facility fee, anesthesia, and implant cost. A low headline number that omits the implant or anesthesia line is not comparable to an all-in quote. Ask specifically: is this figure the surgeon fee only, or does it include all four components?
2
Partial vs. Total vs. Bilateral vs. Revision: What Each Procedure Costs and Why
Partial knee replacement, also called unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee — typically the medial (inner) side, which bears the most load and degrades earliest in osteoarthritis. Because only one compartment is treated, the implant is smaller, surgical time is shorter (typically 1 to 1.5 hours versus 1.5 to 2.5 hours for total replacement), and hospital or ASC stay is usually same-day or one night rather than one to two nights. These efficiencies translate to the lower uninsured cost range of $20,000 to $40,000. The critical trade-off is eligibility: partial replacement requires that cartilage damage is isolated to one compartment, ligaments are intact, and the patient has limited fixed deformity. Fewer than 20 percent of knee replacement candidates meet these criteria, and a surgeon assessment with weight-bearing X-rays is required to determine eligibility.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most common joint replacement procedure in the United States, with approximately 700,000 performed annually. It resurfaces all three compartments of the knee — medial, lateral, and patellofemoral — with metal and polyethylene components anchored to the femur, tibia, and sometimes the patella. At $35,000 to $70,000 uninsured, TKA represents the largest segment of this calculator's range and the baseline against which other procedure types are measured. A growing proportion of TKAs in the US are now performed as outpatient procedures at ASCs for healthy patients under 65, which has compressed the lower end of the price range as outpatient volume has grown and facility competition has increased in many markets.
Revision knee replacement — surgery to remove and replace a worn, infected, or mechanically failed prior implant — carries the highest cost per session at $50,000 to $90,000 uninsured, often exceeding even bilateral replacement on a per-knee basis. The cost premium is driven by complexity: extracting a cemented implant requires specialized tools, extended OR time (2 to 4 hours), more extensive bone preparation, and sometimes bone grafting. An infection-related two-stage revision — where the implant is removed, an antibiotic spacer is placed, and a new implant inserted weeks later — effectively doubles the episode cost because it involves two separate surgeries with two sets of anesthesia and facility fees. Bilateral replacement ($60,000 to $110,000 uninsured) represents two knees in one or staged sessions; when staged, each session carries its own anesthesia and facility charges, making the total approach toward the upper end of the range.
Knee replacement procedure types by cost range, operating time, and primary cost driver, US 2026.
Procedure
Uninsured Range
OR Time (Approx.)
Key Complexity Driver
Partial (UKA)
$20,000–$40,000
1.0–1.5 hrs
Eligibility screening
Total (TKA)
$35,000–$70,000
1.5–2.5 hrs
Implant + facility type
Bilateral
$60,000–$110,000
2.5–4.0 hrs total
Two-implant OR time
Revision
$50,000–$90,000
2.0–4.0 hrs
Implant extraction complexity
Do not self-select a procedure type based on cost alone. Partial replacement costs less but is appropriate for only a small fraction of patients. A surgeon evaluation with imaging is the only way to determine which procedure type is clinically indicated for your degree of joint disease.
3
Insurance vs. Self-Pay: How Coverage Changes Everything
The most consequential variable in this calculator is insurance status, because it determines whether the $35,000 to $70,000 billed rate for a total knee replacement becomes the patient's actual financial obligation, or whether insurance reduces the patient's share to $5,000 to $12,000. Health insurance — whether Medicare, a commercial employer plan, or a marketplace plan — has pre-negotiated contracted rates with hospitals and surgeons that are 40 to 70 percent below the billed chargemaster rates that uninsured patients face initially. An uninsured patient billed $50,000 for a TKA will often find that the hospital's accepted contracted rate for an insured patient is $18,000 to $28,000 — and the insured patient's cost-sharing after deductible and coinsurance is $5,000 to $10,000 of that contracted rate.
Medicare coverage for knee replacement is straightforward in principle. Medicare Part A covers the inpatient hospital stay, and Medicare Part B covers physician fees (surgeon and anesthesiologist) in outpatient or ASC settings. For 2026, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period, and Part B charges a 20 percent coinsurance after the $257 annual deductible. A traditional Medicare beneficiary without a supplemental Medigap policy can therefore expect $4,000 to $8,000 in cost-sharing on a typical total knee replacement. With a Medigap Plan G supplement, the coinsurance drops to $0 beyond the Part B deductible, reducing out-of-pocket to approximately $257 for most Medicare-covered knee replacements. Medicare Advantage plans set their own cost-sharing structures, which vary widely by plan design and may be lower or higher than traditional Medicare, making direct comparison essential before choosing a surgical date.
Uninsured patients negotiating directly with hospitals have more leverage than most realize. Most US hospitals publish cash-pay rates that are substantially below chargemaster charges — often 30 to 60 percent below for orthopedic procedures. Some hospital systems have established formal self-pay discount programs; others will negotiate on request before or after a bill is issued. Medical tourism is an option explored by some uninsured patients with high out-of-pocket exposure: knee replacement in Mexico runs $8,000 to $18,000 all-in, and in Costa Rica or Colombia $10,000 to $20,000, against $35,000 to $70,000 in the US. However, vetting surgeon credentials, ensuring post-surgical follow-up care, and managing any complications from abroad introduce risks and logistical challenges that are difficult to quantify in a cost estimate and that deserve careful consideration before booking travel.
Knee replacement out-of-pocket by insurance status, US, 2026. Commercial plan estimate assumes in-network provider and met deductible.
Insurance Status
Total Knee (TKA) Patient Cost
Key Variable
Uninsured (chargemaster)
$35,000–$70,000
No contracted rate discount
Uninsured (negotiated cash)
$17,500–$42,000
Hospital cash-pay program
Medicare (no supplement)
$4,000–$8,000
Part A deductible + 20% coinsurance
Medicare + Medigap G
~$257
Part B deductible only
Commercial employer plan
$5,000–$12,000
Plan deductible + out-of-pocket max
Contact your insurer before scheduling to confirm knee replacement is a covered benefit, that your surgeon and facility are in-network, and to initiate pre-authorization. A single pre-auth phone call can clarify whether your out-of-pocket will be $5,000 or $50,000. Never schedule based solely on a physician recommendation without first verifying coverage.
4
Hospital vs. Ambulatory Surgery Center: Does the Setting Affect Cost and Safety?
Ambulatory surgery centers have become a primary setting for elective knee replacement for patients who meet eligibility criteria: ASA physical status I or II (no significant systemic disease), body mass index below 40, no significant cardiovascular or pulmonary comorbidities, adequate home support for the first 24 to 48 hours post-procedure, and a surgeon who performs outpatient joint replacement at an accredited ASC. These eligibility screens exist because the ASC model is built around same-day discharge, which assumes the patient will not require overnight nursing care for post-surgical monitoring. When criteria are met, ASC-based knee replacement has demonstrated clinical outcomes equivalent to hospital-based procedures in multiple US registry analyses, with lower infection rates in some studies due to the ASC's elective-only patient population and reduced exposure to hospital-acquired pathogens.
The cost differential between hospital and ASC settings for knee replacement is material and directly affects patient out-of-pocket. ASC facility fees are typically 20 to 30 percent below hospital outpatient facility fees for the same surgeon performing the same procedure with the same implant. On a $35,000 to $70,000 total knee replacement, the gross facility fee savings at an ASC range from $7,000 to $21,000. After insurance adjustments, insured patients typically save $1,000 to $3,000 in out-of-pocket cost-sharing by choosing an in-network ASC over an in-network hospital. For uninsured self-pay patients, the ASC cash rate is frequently the most accessible pathway to a significantly below-market all-in price, because many high-volume ASCs publish transparent self-pay bundles that include surgeon, anesthesia, facility, and implant.
When evaluating an ASC, confirm that the facility holds accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or The Joint Commission (TJC), and that it reports to your state's ambulatory surgery data registry. These certifications indicate the facility meets minimum standards for infection control, emergency preparedness, equipment maintenance, and clinical staffing — standards that unaccredited office-based surgical suites are not required to meet. Also confirm that a dedicated anesthesiologist or board-certified CRNA is assigned exclusively to your procedure, not shared across multiple simultaneous cases. Volume matters too: orthopedic ASCs that perform 300 or more knee replacements per year typically show lower complication and readmission rates than low-volume settings.
Not all patients qualify for ASC-based knee replacement. If you have cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a BMI above 40, or other significant comorbidities, a hospital setting is likely the appropriate choice regardless of cost. Your surgeon's recommendation should take precedence over the cost differential.
Hospital inpatient: highest facility cost, appropriate for high-risk patients, complex revisions, or bilateral same-session
Hospital outpatient: 10–20% below inpatient facility fee; same-day discharge increasingly standard for TKA
Accredited ASC: 20–30% below hospital outpatient fee; requires ASA I–II health status and BMI below 40
High-volume ASC (300+ cases/year): lower complication and readmission rates in registry data
ASC self-pay bundles: some centers offer transparent all-in cash prices including implant
Confirm AAAHC or Joint Commission accreditation before scheduling at any outpatient setting
5
When to Consult a Licensed Provider
The estimates produced by this calculator are planning figures, not medical evaluations, surgical quotes, or recommendations about whether knee replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Knee replacement is a major elective surgical procedure with real risks — including infection, blood clots, implant failure, nerve injury, stiffness, and rare but serious cardiovascular events — that a cost calculator cannot assess. Before any surgical decision, a consultation with a board-certified orthopedic surgeon is required to evaluate imaging, joint mechanics, health history, and which procedure type, if any, is clinically indicated for your degree of disease. Cost questions are a legitimate part of that consultation: ask explicitly which procedure is medically indicated, which facility options are available for your health profile, and what the expected all-in cost will be for your specific insurance plan.
Before scheduling, contact your insurer to verify that knee replacement is a covered benefit under your plan, that your surgeon and facility are in-network, and to initiate a pre-authorization request. Medicare beneficiaries should confirm whether the procedure will be billed under Part A (inpatient) or Part B (outpatient or ASC) based on the physician's planned setting. If out-of-pocket cost is a barrier, ask the hospital's financial counseling office about charity care programs, income-based self-pay discounts, and payment plan options. The gap between the uninsured chargemaster rate and a negotiated self-pay rate can be $15,000 to $30,000 or more on a total knee replacement — a conversation worth having before signing any financial agreement.
This calculator provides cost estimates for informational purposes only — it is not medical advice. Consult a board-certified orthopedic surgeon before making any surgical decision. Your health, anatomy, and imaging findings require a professional assessment that this tool cannot replace.
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.