If you searched for “knee surgery price,” you are not alone — it is one of the most common orthopedic cost questions in the U.S. The problem is that “knee surgery” is not one procedure. A knee scope, a total replacement, and an ACL reconstruction are different surgeries with different CPT codes, different OR times, and very different hospital prices.
Federal hospital price transparency rules require facilities to publish cash and list prices. That means you can compare real numbers before you schedule — if you know which procedure you need and which hospitals to compare.
Typical Knee Surgery Costs (2026)
Based on published hospital price files across thousands of facilities, these are common cash-price ranges patients see:
- Knee arthroscopy / meniscus surgery (CPT 29881) — often about $3,000–$15,000 at hospitals; freestanding surgery centers may be lower.
- Total knee replacement (CPT 27447) — commonly $15,000–$65,000+ hospital cash price depending on market; 3× spreads in the same metro are routine.
- Partial knee replacement (CPT 27446) — typically somewhat less than total replacement, but still often five figures at hospitals.
- ACL reconstruction (CPT 29888) — frequently $8,000–$25,000+ at hospitals before professional fees.
Why the Same “Knee Surgery” Quote Can Differ by $40,000
Hospital pricing is not standardized. Two hospitals on the same street can publish cash prices that differ by a factor of three or more for the same CPT code. Drivers include facility fees, implant costs (for replacements), market power, and whether the hospital targets commercially insured rates rather than cash patients.
- Facility type — Hospital outpatient departments often charge more than ambulatory surgery centers for the same scope procedure.
- Implants — Knee replacement pricing includes the prosthesis; hospitals negotiate implant costs differently.
- Professional fees — Surgeon and anesthesia bills may be billed separately from the facility charge you see in a transparency file.
- Geography — Competitive markets tend to have lower cash prices than monopoly markets.
How to Compare Knee Surgery Prices Step by Step
Use this checklist before you schedule:
- Confirm the exact procedure — Ask your surgeon for the CPT code (e.g., 27447 for total knee replacement vs. 29881 for arthroscopy).
- Compare hospitals on MyCareCost — Open the procedure guide for your surgery and your state or city to see published gross and cash prices side by side.
- Get a total estimate — Ask what is included: facility, surgeon, anesthesia, implants, physical therapy, and post-op visits.
- Negotiate cash pay — If you are uninsured or out of network, reference lower published prices at nearby hospitals.
Insurance vs Cash Pay for Knee Surgery
If you have not met your deductible, the amount you pay may be close to the full negotiated rate — which is not always lower than a hospital’s cash price. For major orthopedic procedures, it is worth comparing the cash estimate to your insurer’s expected out-of-pocket before you commit to a facility.