Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comUniversity of Alabama Hospital: what a joint replacement costs
Birmingham, AL 35233 · CMS Certification Number 010033. What Medicare pays this hospital for knee, hip and shoulder replacement, what it lists, how it compares, and what a surgery center nearby is paid.
Medicare prices at University of Alabama Hospital
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $27,608 | $103,696 | 3.8× | $10,975 |
| Shoulder replacement | $21,349 | $99,494 | 4.7× | $14,971 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $26,477 | $121,074 | 4.6× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $18,079 | 0.7× | $18,079–$57,481 | 3 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $57,481 | 2.1× | 1 |
| Birmingham FC | $18,079 | 0.7× | 1 |
| Cooper Green | $18,079 | 0.7× | 1 |
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-02-19); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-02-19); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 7.1% (worse than the national rate). Readmissions: 8.1%. Overall Care Compare rating: 2 of 5 stars. Government · Acute · 1157 beds
Alabama requires a certificate of need for new surgery centers.
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay University of Alabama Hospital for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to University of Alabama Hospital for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $27,608 (MS-DRG 470, 24 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $10,975 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 167 cases).
What is University of Alabama Hospital's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $103,696, 3.8× the average total payment for a Medicare stay. Almost nobody pays the list price; it matters for uninsured bills and percent-of-charge contracts.
Is a knee replacement cheaper at a surgery center near University of Alabama Hospital?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. Outpatient Care Center, an orthopedic surgery center same ZIP away, is paid about $8,106 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $19,502 less than an inpatient stay at University of Alabama Hospital. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does University of Alabama Hospital compare with other Alabama hospitals?
University of Alabama Hospital's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 100% of the 24 Alabama hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay University of Alabama Hospital for a hip or knee replacement?
From the hospital's own price-transparency file, commercial plans' negotiated rates for MS-DRG 470 have a median of $18,079 across 3 insurers, ranging from $18,079 to $57,481.