Cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery Visit
in Iowa
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Iowa's healthcare landscape features strong rural health networks and lower-than-average medical costs, making it an attractive state for orthopedic care. For Knee Replacement Surgery procedures in Iowa, patients typically encounter negotiated rates ranging from $95 to $4,753, with a median cost of $2,935 based on transparency data from 309 active providers across the state. Iowa maintains a solid network of orthopedic specialists serving both urban centers and rural communities, allowing patients to browse qualified Knee Replacement Surgery providers throughout the state.
Average
$2,594
Median
$2,935
Lowest
$95
Highest
$4,753
Providers
309
14% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does knee replacement compare to related procedures in Iowa?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $91 | $2,938 | $3,950 | 320 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $1,186 | $1,313 | 296 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $452 | $1,174 | $1,680 | 311 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $90 | $1,428 | $3,082 | 337 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $85 | $1,304 | $2,810 | 369 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,912 | $3,576 | 341 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $549 | $1,426 | $1,627 | 255 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $95 | $640 | $705 | 270 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $457 | $1,131 | $2,449 | 317 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $1,392 | $3,021 | 333 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $361 | $933 | $1,068 | 260 |
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 27447 — Total 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.
Top-Rated Hospitals in Iowa
These hospitals in Iowa are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
ORANGE CITY, IA
BELMOND, IA
CLARION, IA
MARENGO, IA
ALGONA, IA
Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.
Why Knee Replacement Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across Iowa
Iowa's healthcare costs run approximately 9% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive medical market. The state's mix of urban medical centers and extensive rural health networks creates unique pricing dynamics where high-volume city practices compete with specialized rural orthopedic clinics.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City concentrate most of Iowa's orthopedic specialists, creating cost competition that benefits patients in these metro areas. Rural Iowa communities often rely on traveling surgeons or regional medical centers, which can increase costs due to travel time and limited scheduling availability. However, some rural facilities offer competitive pricing to attract patients from urban areas seeking more affordable care.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, UnityPoint Health, and MercyOne dominate Iowa's healthcare landscape, with their employed orthopedic surgeons typically charging higher facility fees than independent practices. Ambulatory surgery centers in Iowa often provide Knee Replacement Surgery procedures at 40-60% lower cost than hospital-based outpatient departments. Many successful orthopedic practices operate independently, offering more flexible pricing and faster scheduling.
Insurance Market Competition in Iowa
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield holds significant market share in Iowa, particularly in rural areas where it may be the only available option. United Healthcare and Aetna compete primarily in urban markets, creating some downward pressure on negotiated rates for orthopedic services. Limited insurer competition in rural Iowa can result in higher out-of-pocket costs, as providers have less incentive to offer deep network discounts.
Physician Supply and Demand in Iowa
With 309 active Knee Replacement Surgery providers serving Iowa's 3.2 million residents, the state maintains adequate orthopedic coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This supply-demand imbalance means rural patients often travel to cities for specialized care, while urban providers can maintain steady patient volumes. Wait times for non-urgent Knee Replacement Surgery procedures average 2-4 weeks in metro areas but can extend to 6-8 weeks in underserved rural regions.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Knee Replacement Surgery Costs in Iowa
What is the average cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in Iowa without insurance?
Does Iowa Medicaid cover Knee Replacement Surgery visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee Replacement Surgery near me in Iowa?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in Iowa?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Replacement Surgery in Iowa?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 27447)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $10,559 | $4,785 |
| 2 | Rhode Island Range: $1,136 – $6,051 | $3,170 |
| 3 | Alaska Range: $1,136 – $6,451 | $3,152 |
| 4 | Massachusetts Range: $1,061 – $6,051 | $3,102 |
| 5 | Connecticut Range: $909 – $6,051 | $2,917 |
| 6 | Delaware Range: $1,005 – $6,051 | $2,914 |
| 7 | Montana Range: $92 – $6,877 | $2,879 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania Range: $909 – $6,051 | $2,837 |
| 9 | Wyoming Range: $1,657 – $4,492 | $2,807 |
| 10 | South Dakota Range: $1,099 – $5,330 | $2,798 |
| 11 | Georgia Range: $1,131 – $5,082 | $2,783 |
| 12 | New York Range: $898 – $6,051 | $2,746 |
| 13 | Minnesota Range: $873 – $5,078 | $2,705 |
| 14 | New Hampshire Range: $1,433 – $4,078 | $2,650 |
| 15 | Iowa Range: $95 – $4,753 | $2,594 |
| 16 | West Virginia Range: $1,204 – $4,734 | $2,556 |
| 17 | Nebraska Range: $1,637 – $3,009 | $2,527 |
| 18 | Washington Range: $1,606 – $3,703 | $2,474 |
| 19 | New Jersey Range: $952 – $4,588 | $2,321 |
| 20 | New Mexico Range: $1,216 – $3,606 | $2,318 |
| 21 | North Carolina Range: $1,136 – $3,785 | $2,311 |
| 22 | Maine Range: $1,713 – $2,689 | $2,297 |
| 23 | Oregon Range: $1,116 – $3,635 | $2,288 |
| 24 | District of Columbia Range: $1,061 – $3,475 | $2,286 |
| 25 | Colorado Range: $1,136 – $3,475 | $2,220 |
| 26 | North Dakota Range: $1,198 – $3,475 | $2,189 |
| 27 | Utah Range: $842 – $2,906 | $2,184 |
| 28 | Kentucky Range: $977 – $3,564 | $2,126 |
| 29 | Michigan Range: $1,136 – $3,355 | $2,121 |
| 30 | Maryland Range: $1,204 – $3,475 | $2,015 |
| 31 | Idaho Range: $1,061 – $3,049 | $2,001 |
| 32 | Indiana Range: $90 – $4,087 | $1,966 |
| 33 | Hawaii Range: $1,018 – $2,946 | $1,953 |
| 34 | Vermont Range: $958 – $3,286 | $1,900 |
| 35 | South Carolina Range: $1,060 – $3,108 | $1,898 |
| 36 | Mississippi Range: $1,039 – $3,303 | $1,895 |
| 37 | Illinois Range: $85 – $3,789 | $1,884 |
| 38 | Arkansas Range: $1,138 – $2,603 | $1,878 |
| 39 | Texas Range: $1,056 – $3,006 | $1,877 |
| 40 | California Range: $75 – $3,286 | $1,863 |
| 41 | Nevada Range: $1,136 – $2,632 | $1,853 |
| 42 | Alabama Range: $964 – $2,946 | $1,845 |
| 43 | Tennessee Range: $1,147 – $2,647 | $1,843 |
| 44 | Missouri Range: $1,272 – $2,246 | $1,811 |
| 45 | Virginia Range: $976 – $2,946 | $1,798 |
| 46 | Louisiana Range: $989 – $2,664 | $1,757 |
| 47 | Kansas Range: $1,272 – $2,223 | $1,698 |
| 48 | Ohio Range: $848 – $2,491 | $1,603 |
| 49 | Arizona Range: $1,097 – $2,276 | $1,503 |
| 50 | Oklahoma Range: $85 – $2,533 | $1,311 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $2,438 | $843 |