Elbow replacement Cost by Hospital

Elbow replacement is a surgical procedure. Prices are from 1068 US hospitals across 50 states, from their machine-readable files.

$5,807median cash price · 1068 hospitals, 50 statestypically $1,416–$34,412 depending on the hospital
≈ 4.5× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$8,590
Cash / self-pay
$5,807
Insurer-negotiated
$15,165
Medicare pays
$1,301
$1,416$34,412
Median cash $5,807  ·  Medicare $1,301  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $5,807 — about 4.5× the Medicare rate ($1,301). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($2,601).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $8,590 list price could save about $2,783 (32%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Westfield Memorial Hospital, Inc Westfield, NY $898 $1,786 — 114 min 14.8%
Canonsburg General Hospital Canonsburg, PA $898 $1,500 ★ 3/5 155 min 15.6%
Forbes Hospital Monroeville, PA $898 $1,500 ★ 3/5 252 min 16.5%
Grove City Medical Center Grove City, PA $939 $1,540 ★ 4/5 147 min 14.1%
Adventist Health Tulare Tulare, CA $947 $1,291 ★ 3/5 195 min 15.0%
Allegheny Valley Hospital Natrona, PA $980 $1,500 ★ 4/5 201 min 15.7%
Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, PA $980 $1,500 ★ 3/5 274 min 14.7%
Ahn Wexford Hospital Wexford, PA $1,062 $1,889 ★ 5/5 186 min 15.3%
West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh, PA $1,102 $1,889 ★ 3/5 203 min 16.3%
O'connor Hospital Delhi, NY $1,134 $1,528 — 88 min 14.7%
Little Falls Hospital Little Falls, NY $1,134 $1,264 ★ 2/5 110 min 15.7%
Cobleskill Regional Hospital Cobleskill, NY $1,134 $1,438 ★ 4/5 109 min 14.6%
Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services, Inc Salem, KY $1,368 $1,225 ★ 4/5 103 min 15.6%
Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Shelbyville, TN $1,416 $2,482 ★ 4/5 123 min 13.6%
Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital Tullahoma, TN $1,416 $2,287 ★ 3/5 173 min 15.1%
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Elkin, NC $1,628 $1,858 ★ 3/5 171 min 15.1%
Baylor Surgical Hospital at Las Colinas Irving, TX $1,676 $7,048 — 71 min 14.9%
Hospital Pavia Caguas Caguas, PR $1,800 $945 — — 17.1%
Artesia General Hospital Artesia, NM $1,802 $2,763 — 101 min 15.0%
Cedar-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital Marina Del Rey, CA $1,807 $12,329 ★ 4/5 180 min 15.1%
Red Bud Regional Hospital Red Bud, IL $1,834 $3,143 ★ 4/5 121 min 15.6%
Deaconess Hospital Inc Evansville, IN $1,834 $1,773 ★ 2/5 189 min 15.3%
The Women's Hospital Newburgh, IN $1,834 $1,958 ★ 5/5 128 min —
Deaconess Henderson Hospital Henderson, KY $1,834 $2,098 ★ 2/5 127 min 15.1%
Baylor Scott and White Orthopedic and Spine Hospi Arlington, TX $1,912 $6,734 — 117 min 14.6%

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated August 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Elbow replacement

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $5,807; Medicare pays $1,301.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 78
$468
$468 – $11,908
Univera 7
$929
$154 – $1,540
AmeriHealth 103
$1,359
$227 – $19,191
Geisinger 21
$1,359
$272 – $22,043
Priority Health 24
$2,340
$998 – $17,471
Sanford Health Plan 21
$4,171
$1,317 – $32,565
Medica 41
$4,602
$1,314 – $19,329
Bright Health 35
$4,943
$3,280 – $8,846
SelectHealth 26
$5,307
$3,078 – $30,130
Centene / Ambetter 387
$5,958
$948 – $22,585
MVP Health Care 31
$6,293
$823 – $43,512
HealthPartners 62
$6,461
$1,396 – $32,524
Aetna 594
$7,062
$1,581 – $21,338
Molina Healthcare 305
$7,266
$1,307 – $19,284
Cigna 404
$7,321
$2,214 – $35,535
AvMed 27
$8,253
$4,163 – $14,963
MultiPlan / PHCS network 126
$8,513
$1,704 – $29,884
Oscar Health 116
$8,769
$6,070 – $16,180
Humana 499
$9,251
$1,361 – $18,524
Harvard Pilgrim 12
$9,667
$1,692 – $35,734
Healthcare Highways 31
$10,536
$9,733 – $12,401
Amerigroup 101
$10,580
$3,977 – $18,494
UnitedHealthcare 677
$12,360
$1,431 – $23,366
Security Health Plan 20
$13,221
$1,317 – $18,416
Coventry 25
$15,117
$1,581 – $21,363
Tricare / VA 100
$16,382
$1,219 – $21,762
Highmark 45
$16,453
$1,786 – $38,214
UPMC Health Plan 33
$17,078
$1,289 – $50,695
Medicare 161
$17,185
$678 – $21,761
Anthem 265
$17,874
$1,537 – $44,089
Health Net 63
$18,239
$1,195 – $39,021
Blue Cross Blue Shield 572
$18,340
$1,347 – $43,533
UCare 30
$18,409
$991 – $32,547
Devoted Health 163
$20,750
$16,588 – $22,053
Independent Health 9
$21,762
$4,127 – $30,174
Kaiser Permanente 98
$22,347
$2,068 – $69,590
EmblemHealth 26
$26,265
$4,127 – $138,327
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 18
$28,676
$1,275 – $30,742

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Kentucky$1,601
New Mexico$1,802
Indiana$1,834
Missouri$2,061
Tennessee$2,637
Arkansas$2,697

Prices by city

Chicago, ILAustin, TXDallas, TXHouston, TXNew York, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHFort Worth, TXLos Angeles, CAPlano, TXSan Antonio, TXArlington, TXNashville, TNRochester, NYSacramento, CAAurora, COBronx, NYBrooklyn, NYColorado Springs, COKnoxville, TNMilwaukee, WIOmaha, NESan Francisco, CATacoma, WA

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioFloridaWisconsinNew YorkIllinoisMinnesotaColoradoNorth CarolinaTennesseeLouisianaPennsylvaniaMichiganNew JerseyIndianaGeorgiaWashingtonMaineIowaKansasVirginiaKentuckyNebraskaOklahomaIdahoUtahArizonaSouth CarolinaArkansasMissouriAlabamaWest VirginiaNew HampshireMontanaMassachusettsWyomingNevadaNorth DakotaMississippiNew MexicoSouth DakotaConnecticutOregon

Does Medicare cover Elbow replacement?

Yes — Medicare generally covers Elbow replacement. It is typically an inpatient service, so Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) pays the hospital a bundled rate — Medicare’s benchmark payment is about $1,301. Your own cost is mainly the Part A hospital deductible for the benefit period (a flat amount, not a percentage), plus any physician (Part B) charges. A Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan can change what you owe.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 1068 US hospitals across 50 states, the typical (median) cash price is $5,807, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $8,590, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $15,165, a Medicare rate of about $1,301. Most cash prices fall between $1,416 and $34,412 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Elbow replacement cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 1068 US hospitals is $5,807. Most hospitals fall between $1,416 and $34,412. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover Elbow replacement?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part A as an inpatient service (Medicare's benchmark payment is about $1,301). You pay the Part A hospital deductible for the benefit period, plus any Part B physician charges.
What does Medicare pay for Elbow replacement?
Medicare pays about $1,301. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Elbow replacement prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

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