Knee Replacement Cost in Washington, DC (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a knee replacement cost in Washington, DC?
You could pay $2,544 or $8,781 for the same knee replacement in Washington, DC - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 23 reporting hospitals is $4,573. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
A knee replacement is four separate bills - and physical therapy, the longest of any joint replacement, is billed per visit.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why a short inpatient stay adds a facility day-rate on top of the surgery itself
- ✓ The separate anesthesia bill that can be out-of-network even at an in-network hospital
- ✓ How physical therapy is billed - per visit, often for months - and the plan limits to confirm first
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling, including whether you qualify for a lower-cost surgery center
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
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Cheapest Knee Replacement Providers in Washington, DC
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CalvertHealth Medical Center | DC | $2,029 | -$2,544 |
| 2 | Aiken Regional Medical Centers | Nw, DC | $2,030 | -$2,543 |
| 3 | UM Laurel Medical Center | Laurel, DC | $2,033 | -$2,540 |
| 4 | UM Charles Regional Medical Center | La Plata, DC | $2,310 | -$2,263 |
| 5 | Henry Ford Health | DC | $2,534 | -$2,039 |
| 6 | SPOTSYLVANIA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | Fredericksburg, DC | $2,550 | -$2,023 |
| 7 | UM Capital Region Medical Center | Largo, DC | $2,664 | -$1,909 |
| 8 | Shady Grove Medical Center | Rockville, DC | $3,351 | -$1,222 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- CalvertHealth Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $2,029 - $2,544 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 $4,573, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Ask whether this procedure can be done at a freestanding ambulatory surgical center - they're typically 30-60% cheaper than a hospital for identical care, and most aren't in this hospital-only dataset.
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
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $4,280 versus $4,573 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.
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 | ~$4,573 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$915 |
| Out-of-network provider | $10,061+ |
Frequently asked questions: knee replacement costs in Washington, DC
How much does a knee replacement cost in Washington, DC?
Across 23 Washington, DC hospitals that publish prices, a knee replacement ranges from $774 to $21,379, with a median of $4,573. Most facilities fall between $2,422 and $8,781. 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 Washington, DC?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Washington, DC data is PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Georgetown LLC at about $774. By metro, Fredericksburg has the lowest median ($3,562). 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 Washington, DC hospitals?
Prices vary up to 27.6× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Washington, DC, the median cash (self-pay) price is $4,573 versus a median negotiated rate of $4,280 - about 1.1× 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 Washington, DC?
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
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Washington, DC
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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