Hip Replacement Cost in California (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a hip replacement cost in California?

For a commercially insured patient, a hip replacement in California typically runs $4,547–$12,973 once facility and physician fees are combined. The median reported facility price across 118 hospitals is $2,988. The figures draw on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

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Where hip replacement costs vary in California

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

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California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. Hip replacement is one of the highest-cost elective procedures in orthopedic surgery, with total episode costs (surgery, implant, anesthesia, facility, and 90-day follow-up) ranging from $20,000–$50,000+. The implant device alone accounts for 30–40% of the facility charge. Medicare Advantage plans increasingly carve out joint replacement to preferred facilities using bundled payment arrangements, which can significantly lower your out-of-pocket costs if you use a designated center of excellence.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (15) report prices above $16,056, including Patient's Hospital of Redding at $47,601, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $2,978 versus $2,844 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Setting drives most of the spread here: an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) is usually meaningfully cheaper than a hospital operating room for the same procedure, when your case qualifies.

On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.

Frequently asked questions: hip replacement costs in California

How much does a hip replacement cost in California?

The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $1,420, with most facilities between $898 and $2,377 (based on 100 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $528 to $130,740 across all 118 California hospitals that publish prices. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get a hip replacement in California?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our California data is ADVENTIST HEALTH - MENDOCINO COAST at about $20. By metro, Sacramento has the lowest median ($1,301). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.

Why is a hip replacement so much cheaper at some California hospitals?

Prices vary up to 247.6× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In California, the median cash (self-pay) price is $5,028 versus a median negotiated rate of $1,420 - about 3.5× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.

How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a hip replacement in California?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).