Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comUniversity of Colorado Hospital Authority: what a joint replacement costs
Aurora, CO 80045 · CMS Certification Number 060024. 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 Colorado Hospital Authority
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $19,575 | $146,997 | 7.5× | $12,430 |
| Shoulder replacement | — | — | — | $17,285 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $22,488 | $148,108 | 6.6× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $38,182 | 2.0× | $21,941–$53,919 | 6 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $53,919 | 2.8× | 1 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $47,655 | 2.4× | 1 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $40,601 | 2.1× | 1 |
| Cigna | $35,762 | 1.8× | 1 |
| Elevance/Anthem/Empire | $32,598 | 1.7× | 1 |
| MultiPlan/PHCS (rental network) | $25,625 | 1.3× | 1 |
| Simplified Benefits Administration | $21,941 | 1.1× | 1 |
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2025-11-01); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2025-11-01); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 4.7% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 5.8%. Overall Care Compare rating: 5 of 5 stars. Government · Acute · 858 beds
Colorado has no certificate-of-need law.
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay University of Colorado Hospital Authority for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to University of Colorado Hospital Authority for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $19,575 (MS-DRG 470, 19 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $12,430 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 271 cases).
What is University of Colorado Hospital Authority's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $146,997, 7.5× 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 Colorado Hospital Authority?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. Surgery Center of the Rockies, an orthopedic surgery center 3.2 mi away, is paid about $8,995 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $10,580 less than an inpatient stay at University of Colorado Hospital Authority. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does University of Colorado Hospital Authority compare with other Colorado hospitals?
University of Colorado Hospital Authority's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 94% of the 17 Colorado hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay University of Colorado Hospital Authority 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 $38,182 across 6 insurers, ranging from $21,941 to $53,919.