Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comSt Peters Health: what a joint replacement costs
Helena, MT 59601 · CMS Certification Number 270003. 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 St Peters Health
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $14,352 | $39,830 | 2.8× | $12,898 |
| Shoulder replacement | — | — | — | $18,308 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $17,289 | $51,571 | 3.0× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $47,527 | 3.3× | $41,446–$69,153 | 4 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $69,153 | 4.8× | 1 |
| EmblemHealth | $53,608 | 3.7× | 1 |
| 1199SEIU | $41,446 | 2.9× | 1 |
| Aetna | $41,446 | 2.9× | 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: 5% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 6.6%. Overall Care Compare rating: 3 of 5 stars. Nonprofit · Acute · 99 beds
Montana has a certificate-of-need program that does not cover surgery centers.
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay St Peters Health for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to St Peters Health for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $14,352 (MS-DRG 470, 16 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $12,898 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 279 cases).
What is St Peters Health's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $39,830, 2.8× 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 St Peters Health?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. Helena Surgicenter LLC, an orthopedic surgery center same ZIP away, is paid about $8,267 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $6,085 less than an inpatient stay at St Peters Health. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does St Peters Health compare with other Montana hospitals?
St Peters Health's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 83% of the 6 Montana hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay St Peters Health 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 $47,527 across 4 insurers, ranging from $41,446 to $69,153.