Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comMercyone Waterloo Medical Center: what a joint replacement costs
Waterloo, IA 50702 · CMS Certification Number 160067. 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 Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $14,121 | $78,594 | 5.6× | — |
| Shoulder replacement | — | — | — | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $21,350 | 1.5× | $19,838–$22,863 | 2 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $22,863 | 1.6× | 1 |
| Oscar | $19,838 | 1.4× | 1 |
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-03-31); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-03-31); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 4% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 5%. Overall Care Compare rating: 4 of 5 stars. Nonprofit · Acute · 423 beds
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $14,121 (MS-DRG 470, 55 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance).
What is Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $78,594, 5.6× 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 Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. The Surgery Center at United Medical Park, an orthopedic surgery center 3.4 mi away, is paid about $8,093 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $6,028 less than an inpatient stay at Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center compare with other Iowa hospitals?
Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 80% of the 15 Iowa hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center 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 $21,350 across 2 insurers, ranging from $19,838 to $22,863.