Hip replacement costs range from $30,000 to $70,000 before insurance, depending on your location, hospital, surgeon, and whether complications arise

The actual price you pay depends almost entirely on whether you have insurance and what that insurance covers. Someone with Medicare typically pays 20 percent of the approved amount after meeting their deductible. Someone with private insurance pays their deductible plus coinsurance, which can be anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of the bill. An uninsured patient may negotiate a cash price, often lower than the insurance-billed amount, but still substantial.

The $30,000 to $70,000 range covers the surgeon's fee, the hospital facility charge, anesthesia, imaging, and the implant itself. Prices are higher in urban areas and at teaching hospitals. Rural hospitals and surgery centers often charge less. The implant brand matters — some prosthetics cost more than others, and your surgeon may have preferred brands that affect the total.

Key Takeaways

  • The surgeon's fee, hospital facility charge, anesthesia, and implant together typically total $30,000 to $70,000 before insurance pays its share.
  • Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible, leaving you responsible for coinsurance on the remaining 20 percent.
  • Private insurance plans vary widely — your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance percentage, and whether the surgeon and hospital are in-network.
  • Uninsured patients should ask the hospital for a cash price upfront, which is often lower than the amount billed to insurance, and may be negotiable.
  • Additional costs like pre-surgery testing, post-surgery physical therapy, and any complications can add thousands to your total bill.

What the main bill includes

A hip replacement bill breaks into several parts. The surgeon's fee is usually $15,000 to $25,000. The hospital facility charge — the operating room, recovery room, and any overnight stay — runs $10,000 to $30,000 on its own. Anesthesia is typically $2,000 to $5,000. The implant itself (the artificial hip joint) costs $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the brand and materials.

Imaging and lab work before surgery add another $1,000 to $3,000. If you stay overnight, that bed charge is separate from the facility fee. Some hospitals bundle these costs; others bill them separately, which is why two hospitals in the same city can quote very different totals for the same procedure.

Medicare and what you actually owe

Medicare Part B covers hip replacement surgery at 80 percent of the approved amount once you have met your annual deductible (which changes yearly). You are responsible for the deductible plus 20 percent coinsurance on everything else. If the approved amount is $50,000 and your deductible is $240, you pay $240 plus 20 percent of $49,760, which is about $10,192 total.

The catch is that the approved amount may be lower than what the hospital bills. Medicare sets a fee schedule; the hospital cannot bill you for the difference between what they charge and what Medicare approves. This is called balance billing protection, and it applies to in-network providers.

If your surgeon or hospital is out-of-network, the rules change and you may owe more. Always confirm in-network status before scheduling. Supplemental insurance (Medigap) can cover some or all of your coinsurance, depending on your plan.

Private insurance: deductibles and coinsurance

Private insurance plans vary so much that you cannot know your cost without calling your insurer or checking your plan documents. Most plans require you to meet an annual deductible first — often $500 to $2,000 — before insurance pays anything. After that, you typically pay coinsurance, which is a percentage of the bill (10 to 40 percent, depending on your plan).

Some plans cap your out-of-pocket maximum, meaning once you have paid a certain amount in deductible and coinsurance combined, insurance covers 100 percent of remaining costs for the rest of that year. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,000 to $10,000 or higher.

In-network versus out-of-network makes a huge difference. An in-network surgeon and hospital charge negotiated rates that are usually much lower than their standard prices. Out-of-network providers can bill you for the full amount, and your insurance may pay less, leaving you with a larger bill. Before surgery, call your insurance company and confirm that both your surgeon and the hospital are in-network.

What uninsured patients typically pay

Without insurance, you are responsible for the full bill, but hospitals often offer discounts for cash payment. Many hospitals have financial information programs or will negotiate a lower price if you ask. Some uninsured patients pay 30 to 50 percent less than the standard billed amount by requesting a cash price upfront.

Ask the hospital's billing department for an itemized estimate before surgery and ask whether they offer a discount for self-pay patients. Some hospitals have payment plans that let you pay over time without interest. Others may refer you to a third-party financing company that charges interest but spreads the cost across 12 to 60 months.

If cost is a barrier, mention it to your surgeon or the hospital social worker. Some surgeons have relationships with implant manufacturers that can reduce the device cost, or the hospital may have a program for low-income patients.

Costs that come after surgery

The hospital bill is not the end. Physical therapy is often necessary and can cost $2,000 to $5,000 depending on how many sessions you need and whether your insurance covers it. Most insurance plans cover physical therapy, but you may owe copays or coinsurance for each visit.

Imaging follow-ups (X-rays to check how the implant is healing) may add $500 to $1,500. If complications develop — infection, blood clots, or implant failure — additional surgery or hospitalization can cost tens of thousands more. These are rare but possible, and your insurance will cover them the same way it covers the original surgery.

Medications after surgery (pain relievers, blood thinners to prevent clots) are usually inexpensive, but check your insurance formulary to see whether your plan covers them and at what cost.

How to get a price estimate before surgery

Federal law requires hospitals to provide a price estimate for scheduled procedures. Call the hospital's billing or financial counseling department and ask for a good-faith estimate. Provide your insurance information so they can estimate what your insurance will approve and what you will owe.

The estimate should include the surgeon's fee, facility charge, anesthesia, implant, and any pre-surgery testing. It may not include post-surgery physical therapy or complications, but it gives you a baseline. Compare estimates from different hospitals if you have that option — prices vary significantly even within the same city.

If you have insurance, also call your insurance company and ask what they will cover and what your coinsurance will be. Ask specifically whether the surgeon and hospital are in-network. This conversation takes 15 minutes and can save you thousands in unexpected bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover the full cost of hip replacement?

No. Medicare covers 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible. You pay the deductible plus 20 percent coinsurance. If you have Medigap supplemental insurance, it may cover some or all of your coinsurance, depending on your plan.

Can I negotiate the price if I am uninsured?

Yes. Hospitals often offer discounts for cash payment. Call the billing department, ask for a cash price, and ask whether they have financial information programs or payment plans. You may pay 30 to 50 percent less than the standard billed amount by negotiating upfront.

What if my surgeon is out-of-network?

Out-of-network providers can bill you for the full amount, and your insurance may pay less, leaving you with a larger bill. Always confirm in-network status before scheduling. If your preferred surgeon is out-of-network, ask your insurance whether they will make an exception or cover a higher percentage.

Are there costs after the surgery I should plan for?

Yes. Physical therapy typically costs $2,000 to $5,000, and follow-up imaging may add $500 to $1,500. Your insurance usually covers these, but you may owe copays or coinsurance. Medications are usually inexpensive but vary by plan.

How do I know what I will actually owe?

Call your hospital's financial counseling department for a good-faith estimate and call your insurance company to confirm in-network status and your coinsurance percentage. These two conversations will give you a reliable estimate of your out-of-pocket cost before surgery.