Hip Replacement Surgery Cost in North Carolina

Hospital charges for total hip arthroplasty in North Carolina vary widely based on facility type, geographic competition, and payer mix.

For total hip arthroplasty in North Carolina, the choice of facility can mean thousands of dollars in price difference. Teaching hospitals and major health systems typically maintain higher chargemaster rates, while community hospitals and outpatient centers may offer competitive self-pay pricing.

Based on data from 23 hospitals in North Carolina, total hip arthroplasty prices range from $12,256 to $36,878 — a 3.0x difference. This wide variation underscores why comparing prices before scheduling is critical for controlling your out-of-pocket costs.

The setting where total hip arthroplasty is performed in North Carolina significantly impacts total cost. Hospital inpatient stays are the most expensive, followed by hospital outpatient departments, then ambulatory surgery centers.

For patients who are medically appropriate for outpatient surgery, ASCs offer a compelling combination of lower cost and shorter wait times. Many are physician-owned and focus exclusively on surgical care.

Discuss options with your surgeon and, if you're self-pay, ask about pricing at each available setting before scheduling.

Self-pay patients in North Carolina often have access to significantly discounted rates for total hip arthroplasty. Under federal price transparency rules (45 CFR § 180.50), hospitals must publish their discounted cash prices alongside standard charges.

In North Carolina, the average cash price for total hip arthroplasty is $13,972, which is 32% lower than the average list price of $20,457. This discount is typical of what self-pay patients can expect when asking for the hospital's uninsured rate.

For insured patients, the negotiated rate between your plan and the hospital determines your cost share. If you haven't met your deductible, you may pay more than the cash price. It's worth asking the hospital whether their self-pay rate is lower than what your insurance would charge — some patients save money by not filing a claim.