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District of Columbia

Cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery Visit
in District of Columbia

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

District of Columbia maintains the nation's highest concentration of healthcare providers per capita, creating a unique competitive landscape for Knee Replacement Surgery services. Patients typically pay between negotiated insurance rates of $1,061 and $3,475, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $2,323 based on transparency data from major health plans. The district hosts 309 active Knee Replacement Surgery providers across hospital systems and specialty centers, allowing patients to browse comprehensive options within the compact metropolitan area.

Average

$2,286

Median

$2,323

Lowest

$1,061

Highest

$3,475

Providers

309

National avg: $2,275District of Columbia: $2,286

1% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does knee replacement compare to related procedures in District of Columbia?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$1,045$2,286$3,311318
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$414$887$1,311318
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$443$927$1,591314
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$511$1,109$1,618326
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$413$1,016$1,405334
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$647$1,525$3,201348
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$461$1,057$1,588311
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$220$479$681315
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$381$901$1,221308
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$434$1,066$1,611317
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$328$739$1,686310

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 27447Total knee arthroplasty). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 27447 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 27447 (Total knee arthroplasty), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 27447 covers: the provider's professional fee for knee replacement. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why Knee Replacement Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across District of Columbia

District of Columbia's healthcare costs run approximately 20% above national averages, reflecting the region's high cost of living and concentration of academic medical centers. The district's compact geography creates intense competition among providers while maintaining premium pricing due to overhead costs and physician salaries.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Unlike other states, District of Columbia faces no rural access challenges, with all residents living within the urban core and having access to multiple orthopedic options. The concentration of providers in a small geographic area creates competitive pressure but also allows facilities to maintain premium pricing due to high demand. Patients benefit from easy access to subspecialists and second opinions without traveling long distances.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based orthopedic clinics affiliated with MedStar, George Washington University Hospital, and Georgetown University Hospital typically charge 30-50% more than independent practices due to higher overhead costs. Academic medical centers command premium pricing but offer access to clinical trials and fellowship-trained subspecialists in complex knee conditions. Ambulatory surgery centers provide cost-effective alternatives for routine procedures and consultations.

Insurance Market Competition in District of Columbia

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare, and Aetna dominate the district's insurance landscape, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates with providers. The concentrated market allows insurers significant leverage in rate negotiations, though premium healthcare facilities can still command higher reimbursements. Federal employee health plans add another layer of competition and often secure favorable provider rates.

Physician Supply and Demand in District of Columbia

With 309 active Knee Replacement Surgery providers serving a population of approximately 700,000, District of Columbia enjoys excellent physician availability compared to national ratios. This robust supply helps moderate wait times but doesn't necessarily reduce costs due to the affluent patient base and high practice overhead expenses. The concentration of subspecialists creates healthy competition while maintaining premium pricing for complex cases.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Knee Replacement Surgery Costs in District of Columbia

What is the average cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in District of Columbia without insurance?

Without insurance, knee replacement surgery consultations in District of Columbia range from $1,061 to $3,475, with a median cost of $2,323 based on negotiated rate data from major insurers. Self-pay patients often receive 20-40% discounts from list prices, bringing costs down considerably. Many orthopedic practices offer payment plans to make care more affordable for uninsured patients.

Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover Knee Replacement Surgery visits?

Yes, District of Columbia expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing comprehensive coverage for orthopedic consultations and knee replacement surgery when medically necessary. Prior authorization may be required for surgical procedures, but initial consultations are typically covered with minimal copays. The program maintains a robust network of orthopedic providers throughout the district's medical facilities.

How do I find an affordable Knee Replacement Surgery near me in District of Columbia?

Compare costs across different facility types, as ambulatory surgery centers often charge 30-50% less than hospital-based clinics for the same services. Many independent orthopedic practices offer cash-pay discounts and flexible payment plans for patients with high deductibles. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers in the district provide sliding-scale fees based on income for eligible patients.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial knee replacement surgery consultations typically cost between $1,061 and $3,475 based on complexity and facility type, representing comprehensive evaluations including examination and treatment planning. Follow-up visits generally cost 40-60% less than initial consultations, focusing on progress assessment and treatment adjustments. The specific cost difference depends on your insurance plan's specialist visit structure and the provider's fee schedule.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in District of Columbia?

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can be used for orthopedic consultations and knee replacement surgery as qualified medical expenses. This includes diagnostic tests, imaging studies, and surgical procedures recommended by your orthopedic surgeon. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as these accounts offer valuable tax advantages for medical expenses.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Replacement Surgery in District of Columbia?

Telemedicine consultations for orthopedic follow-ups typically cost 20-40% less than in-person visits, though initial evaluations usually require physical examination for proper diagnosis. District of Columbia providers increasingly offer virtual consultations for post-surgical follow-ups and treatment planning discussions. Insurance coverage for telemedicine visits has expanded significantly, with most major carriers covering virtual orthopedic consultations at the same rate as in-person visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$843
$4,785

Office visit (CPT 27447)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $73$10,559
$4,785
2Rhode Island
Range: $1,136$6,051
$3,170
3Alaska
Range: $1,136$6,451
$3,152
4Massachusetts
Range: $1,061$6,051
$3,102
5Connecticut
Range: $909$6,051
$2,917
6Delaware
Range: $1,005$6,051
$2,914
7Montana
Range: $92$6,877
$2,879
8Pennsylvania
Range: $909$6,051
$2,837
9Wyoming
Range: $1,657$4,492
$2,807
10South Dakota
Range: $1,099$5,330
$2,798
11Georgia
Range: $1,131$5,082
$2,783
12New York
Range: $898$6,051
$2,746
13Minnesota
Range: $873$5,078
$2,705
14New Hampshire
Range: $1,433$4,078
$2,650
15Iowa
Range: $95$4,753
$2,594
16West Virginia
Range: $1,204$4,734
$2,556
17Nebraska
Range: $1,637$3,009
$2,527
18Washington
Range: $1,606$3,703
$2,474
19New Jersey
Range: $952$4,588
$2,321
20New Mexico
Range: $1,216$3,606
$2,318
21North Carolina
Range: $1,136$3,785
$2,311
22Maine
Range: $1,713$2,689
$2,297
23Oregon
Range: $1,116$3,635
$2,288
24District of Columbia
Range: $1,061$3,475
$2,286
25Colorado
Range: $1,136$3,475
$2,220
26North Dakota
Range: $1,198$3,475
$2,189
27Utah
Range: $842$2,906
$2,184
28Kentucky
Range: $977$3,564
$2,126
29Michigan
Range: $1,136$3,355
$2,121
30Maryland
Range: $1,204$3,475
$2,015
31Idaho
Range: $1,061$3,049
$2,001
32Indiana
Range: $90$4,087
$1,966
33Hawaii
Range: $1,018$2,946
$1,953
34Vermont
Range: $958$3,286
$1,900
35South Carolina
Range: $1,060$3,108
$1,898
36Mississippi
Range: $1,039$3,303
$1,895
37Illinois
Range: $85$3,789
$1,884
38Arkansas
Range: $1,138$2,603
$1,878
39Texas
Range: $1,056$3,006
$1,877
40California
Range: $75$3,286
$1,863
41Nevada
Range: $1,136$2,632
$1,853
42Alabama
Range: $964$2,946
$1,845
43Tennessee
Range: $1,147$2,647
$1,843
44Missouri
Range: $1,272$2,246
$1,811
45Virginia
Range: $976$2,946
$1,798
46Louisiana
Range: $989$2,664
$1,757
47Kansas
Range: $1,272$2,223
$1,698
48Ohio
Range: $848$2,491
$1,603
49Arizona
Range: $1,097$2,276
$1,503
50Oklahoma
Range: $85$2,533
$1,311
51Florida
Range: $35$2,438
$843
Knee Replacement in Other States