Knee Replacement Cost in Denver, CO (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a knee replacement cost in Denver, CO?
You could pay $1,193 or $7,225 for the same knee replacement in Denver, CO - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 11 reporting hospitals is $4,129. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where knee replacement costs vary in Denver, CO
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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A knee replacement is four separate bills - and physical therapy, the longest of any joint replacement, is billed per visit.
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Cheapest Knee Replacement Providers in Denver, CO
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AdventHealth Littleton | Littleton, CO | $1,193 | -$2,936 |
| 2 | AdventHealth Castle Rock | Castle Rock, CO | $1,193 | -$2,936 |
| 3 | AdventHealth Parker | Parker, CO | $1,193 | -$2,936 |
| 4 | AdventHealth Porter | Denver, CO | $1,193 | -$2,936 |
| 5 | BRIGHTON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION DBA INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH PLATTE VALLEY HOSPITAL | CO | $4,129 | +$0 |
| 6 | SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL, INC. DBA INTERMOUNTAIN NHEALTH SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL | CO | $4,129 | +$0 |
| 7 | SPALDING AT PSL | Denver, CO | $7,225 | +$3,096 |
| 8 | HCA HEALTHONE SPALDING REHABILITATION | Aurora, CO | $7,225 | +$3,096 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- AdventHealth Littleton is the lowest-cost option at $1,193 - $2,936 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $7,225, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are often 30-60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedure and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor if one is an option.
UCHealth and CommonSpirit Health (formerly SCL Health) dominate the Front Range market, with Centura Health (now Intermountain) adding competition in the Denver corridor. Denver and Boulder wage indices are among the highest in the Mountain West, pushing Medicare-adjusted rates up relative to rural Colorado. The urban-rural price gap in Colorado is one of the widest in the country. Knee replacement is a high-cost elective procedure where facility selection has an outsized impact on total cost. Hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgery center rates for knee replacement have converged on outcomes but diverged further on price - ASC rates are typically 30–50% below hospital rates for the same implant and surgeon. Medicare Advantage plans increasingly direct patients to designated bundled-payment facilities where your out-of-pocket liability is capped.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. 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.
What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$4,129 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$826 |
| Out-of-network provider | $9,084+ |
Frequently asked questions: knee replacement costs in Denver, CO
How much does a knee replacement cost in Denver, CO?
Across 11 Denver, CO hospitals that publish prices, a knee replacement ranges from $842 to $12,866, with a median of $4,129. Most facilities fall between $1,193 and $7,225. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a knee replacement in Denver, CO?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Denver, CO data is Eating Recovery Center-Eating Disorder at about $842. By metro, Denver has the lowest median ($4,209). 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 knee replacement so much cheaper at some Denver, CO hospitals?
Prices vary up to 15.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Denver, CO, the median cash (self-pay) price is $7,225 versus a median negotiated rate of $1,462 - about 4.9× 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 knee replacement in Denver, CO?
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.
Before you book
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Denver, CO
Knee Replacement, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same knee replacement - same outcome, very different bill. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
What's on your bill
A knee replacement involves multiple providers who bill separately - typically ASC Facility Fee, Orthopedic Surgeon Professional Fee, Anesthesia. Check each line item against your Explanation of Benefits to catch billing errors.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this knee replacement changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for knee replacement before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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