The cost of hip replacement surgery will vary based on a number of factors, but the procedure can get quite expensive very quickly. Here is a look at some potential prices for hip replacement surgery as well as an explanation of why estimating the costs can be tricky.
The Average Cost of Hip Replacement Surgery
According to a study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, the cost of hip replacement surgery ranges in price from $10,000 all the way up to more than $100,000. The median price for this procedure at a top-20-ranked hospital is roughly $53,000, while the median for unranked hospitals was about $10,000 less, at $42,000. The most expensive top-20 hospitals priced a hip replacement at $105,000. However, in an unusual development, the most expensive unranked hospital surveyed charged $125,000. The lowest prices for hip replacement surgery are similar among both top-20 and unranked hospitals--$12,000 and $11,000, respectively.
Difficulties Estimating the Cost of Hip Replacement Surgery
The JAMA report points out that estimating the cost of hip replacement surgery can prove to be quite difficult, especially for people who are largely unfamiliar with the procedure. As demonstrated by the pricing surveys, there is no apparent rhyme or reason as to why hospitals charge the prices that they do—and this is especially exemplified by the fact that top-ranked hospitals will not necessarily charge the most for a hip replacement.
Additionally, only 10 of the 102 hospitals surveyed for the report were even able to provide a total estimate. Many providers claimed to be unable to calculate such figures, while others said that they only disclose that information to patients who have been referred by a doctor.
If you’re researching the cost of hip replacement surgery, be prepared to do some investigative work and don’t be surprised if you come to more than one dead end. Luckily, most hospitals will be able to provide you with at least some partial information about the costs for this procedure.
