South Carolina

Cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery Visit
in South Carolina

Name: Knee Replacement Cost in South Carolina (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

South Carolina's healthcare system serves a predominantly rural population across 46 counties, with significant variations in Knee Replacement Surgery access and pricing between urban centers like Charleston and Columbia versus smaller communities. Patients typically pay between $1,060 and $3,108 for Knee Replacement Surgery visits, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $1,527 based on negotiated insurance rates. South Carolina has over 1,000 active Knee Replacement Surgery providers across the state, allowing patients to browse all providers and compare costs before scheduling their appointment.

Average

$1,898

Median

$1,527

Lowest

$1,060

Highest

$3,108

Providers

1,028

National avg: $2,275South Carolina: $1,898

17% below national average

HSA/FSA eligible

Always available primary care

Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does knee replacement compare to related procedures in South Carolina?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)	27130	$80	$1,442	$2,907	1,247
Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion	66984	$327	$647	$1,383	1,098
Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy	29881	$422	$607	$1,266	1,038
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy	47562	$483	$710	$1,594	1,072
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy	44970	$80	$631	$1,290	1,336
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy	58571	$85	$975	$2,061	1,098
Septoplasty Nasal septum repair	30520	$466	$679	$1,422	1,031
Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary	42820	$194	$307	$644	1,089
Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair	49505	$391	$554	$1,170	1,025
Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy	19301	$318	$696	$1,315	1,094
Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release	64721	$334	$467	$1,030	1,029

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Knee Replacement Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across South Carolina

South Carolina's Knee Replacement Surgery costs run approximately 1% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and rural healthcare dynamics. The concentration of specialists in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville creates cost variations across the state's 46 counties.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Charleston and Columbia metros have the highest concentration of orthopedic surgeons, creating more competitive pricing, while rural counties often have limited options requiring patients to travel for specialized care. The Lowcountry and Upstate regions show different pricing patterns due to varying population density and proximity to major medical centers.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned orthopedic practices at MUSC Health, Prisma Health, and McLeod Health typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent surgical groups. Ambulatory surgery centers have grown rapidly in South Carolina, often providing lower-cost alternatives for outpatient procedures and consultations.

Insurance Market Competition in South Carolina

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina dominates the individual market with over 60% market share, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna in employer-sponsored plans. Limited insurer competition in rural counties reduces negotiating leverage, sometimes resulting in higher contracted rates for orthopedic services compared to urban markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in South Carolina

With over 1,000 active orthopedic providers, South Carolina maintains adequate specialist coverage relative to its population, though distribution favors urban areas. The relatively strong supply helps moderate pricing pressure, while growing demand from an aging population and sports injuries keeps appointment availability competitive.

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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 South Carolina

What is the average cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in South Carolina without insurance?

Uninsured patients in South Carolina typically pay between $1,060 and $3,108 for a Knee Replacement Surgery consultation, with most visits falling around the median cost of $1,527. These rates reflect negotiated insurance prices, so self-pay patients should ask about cash discounts which can reduce costs by 20-40%. Many providers offer payment plans to help make orthopedic care more affordable for uninsured patients.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover Knee Replacement Surgery visits?

South Carolina Medicaid covers medically necessary orthopedic consultations for eligible beneficiaries, though the state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage is limited to pregnant women, children, parents with very low incomes, and disabled adults. Medicaid patients should verify their provider accepts Medicaid before scheduling, as not all orthopedic practices participate in the program.

How do I find an affordable Knee Replacement Surgery near me in South Carolina?

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices often charge less than hospital-owned clinics for consultations. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers in Charleston, Columbia, or Greenville for lower-cost options. Rural health clinics may also provide orthopedic services or referrals at reduced rates for qualifying patients.

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

Initial Knee Replacement Surgery consultations typically cost between $1,060 and $3,108 based on complexity and time required for comprehensive evaluation. Follow-up visits generally cost significantly less, usually ranging from $200-600 depending on the extent of examination and treatment planning required. Most insurance plans have different copay structures for new patient visits versus established patient follow-ups.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee Replacement Surgery visit in South Carolina?

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for medically necessary orthopedic consultations in South Carolina. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, including specialist visits, copays, and deductibles. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes and account administration.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee Replacement Surgery in South Carolina?

Telemedicine consultations typically cost 20-30% less than in-person visits, though orthopedic evaluations often require physical examination and imaging review that limit virtual care effectiveness. South Carolina expanded telehealth coverage during COVID-19, with most major insurers now covering virtual orthopedic consultations for follow-up care and second opinions. Initial evaluations for knee problems usually require in-person assessment for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$843

$4,785

Office visit (CPT 27447)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $10,559	$4,785	$73	$10,559	2,606
2	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $1,136 – $6,051	$3,170	$1,136	$6,051	57
3	Alaska(AK) Range: $1,136 – $6,451	$3,152	$1,136	$6,451	35
4	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $1,061 – $6,051	$3,102	$1,061	$6,051	1,004
5	Connecticut(CT) Range: $909 – $6,051	$2,917	$909	$6,051	388
6	Delaware(DE) Range: $1,005 – $6,051	$2,914	$1,005	$6,051	78
7	Montana(MT) Range: $92 – $6,877	$2,879	$92	$6,877	35
8	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $909 – $6,051	$2,837	$909	$6,051	916
9	Wyoming(WY) Range: $1,657 – $4,492	$2,807	$1,657	$4,492	172
10	South Dakota(SD) Range: $1,099 – $5,330	$2,798	$1,099	$5,330	50
11	Georgia(GA) Range: $1,131 – $5,082	$2,783	$1,131	$5,082	2,851
12	New York(NY) Range: $898 – $6,051	$2,746	$898	$6,051	30,852
13	Minnesota(MN) Range: $873 – $5,078	$2,705	$873	$5,078	478
14	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $1,433 – $4,078	$2,650	$1,433	$4,078	3,658
15	Iowa(IA) Range: $95 – $4,753	$2,594	$95	$4,753	309
16	West Virginia(WV) Range: $1,204 – $4,734	$2,556	$1,204	$4,734	88
17	Nebraska(NE) Range: $1,637 – $3,009	$2,527	$1,637	$3,009	2,178
18	Washington(WA) Range: $1,606 – $3,703	$2,474	$1,606	$3,703	2,174
19	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $952 – $4,588	$2,321	$952	$4,588	6,486
20	New Mexico(NM) Range: $1,216 – $3,606	$2,318	$1,216	$3,606	1,195
21	North Carolina(NC) Range: $1,136 – $3,785	$2,311	$1,136	$3,785	2,164
22	Maine(ME) Range: $1,713 – $2,689	$2,297	$1,713	$2,689	1,522
23	Oregon(OR) Range: $1,116 – $3,635	$2,288	$1,116	$3,635	165
24	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $1,061 – $3,475	$2,286	$1,061	$3,475	309
25	Colorado(CO) Range: $1,136 – $3,475	$2,220	$1,136	$3,475	1,282
26	North Dakota(ND) Range: $1,198 – $3,475	$2,189	$1,198	$3,475	37
27	Utah(UT) Range: $842 – $2,906	$2,184	$842	$2,906	318
28	Kentucky(KY) Range: $977 – $3,564	$2,126	$977	$3,564	148
29	Michigan(MI) Range: $1,136 – $3,355	$2,121	$1,136	$3,355	1,660
30	Maryland(MD) Range: $1,204 – $3,475	$2,015	$1,204	$3,475	3,921
31	Idaho(ID) Range: $1,061 – $3,049	$2,001	$1,061	$3,049	78
32	Indiana(IN) Range: $90 – $4,087	$1,966	$90	$4,087	257
33	Hawaii(HI) Range: $1,018 – $2,946	$1,953	$1,018	$2,946	46
34	Vermont(VT) Range: $958 – $3,286	$1,900	$958	$3,286	326
35	South Carolina(SC) Range: $1,060 – $3,108	$1,898	$1,060	$3,108	1,028
36	Mississippi(MS) Range: $1,039 – $3,303	$1,895	$1,039	$3,303	1,280
37	Illinois(IL) Range: $85 – $3,789	$1,884	$85	$3,789	4,831
38	Arkansas(AR) Range: $1,138 – $2,603	$1,878	$1,138	$2,603	99
39	Texas(TX) Range: $1,056 – $3,006	$1,877	$1,056	$3,006	5,230
40	California(CA) Range: $75 – $3,286	$1,863	$75	$3,286	3,142
41	Nevada(NV) Range: $1,136 – $2,632	$1,853	$1,136	$2,632	2,510
42	Alabama(AL) Range: $964 – $2,946	$1,845	$964	$2,946	2,353
43	Tennessee(TN) Range: $1,147 – $2,647	$1,843	$1,147	$2,647	2,258
44	Missouri(MO) Range: $1,272 – $2,246	$1,811	$1,272	$2,246	5,186
45	Virginia(VA) Range: $976 – $2,946	$1,798	$976	$2,946	2,671
46	Louisiana(LA) Range: $989 – $2,664	$1,757	$989	$2,664	863
47	Kansas(KS) Range: $1,272 – $2,223	$1,698	$1,272	$2,223	1,705
48	Ohio(OH) Range: $848 – $2,491	$1,603	$848	$2,491	3,206
49	Arizona(AZ) Range: $1,097 – $2,276	$1,503	$1,097	$2,276	4,502
50	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $85 – $2,533	$1,311	$85	$2,533	1,663
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $2,438	$843	$35	$2,438	4,375

Cost of a Knee Replacement Surgery Visitin South Carolina