The median cost per total joint replacement procedure is $14,520, with half of cases falling between $12,000 and $17,900, according to a recent Premier study. Opportunities to reduce costs of total joint procedures have been enhanced as the shift to value-based care models, such as bundled payments and accountable care organizations, have incented improved patient care and reduced costs within surgical service lines.
Declines in overall length-of-stay and readmissions for these procedures contribute to the cost reductions. Length of stay for total joint replacements has fallen from an average of 3.2 days to 2.3 days over a five-year period, representing a 28 percent decrease. The median length of stay for total joint replacements was two days, with half of cases falling between 2 and 3 days.
The study is based on inpatient data from 869 facilities, representing more than 283,000 patient discharges between October 2015 and March 2017.
Median Cost Per Total Joint Replacement Procedure
