Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comDuke University Hospital: what a joint replacement costs
Durham, NC 27705 · CMS Certification Number 340030. 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 Duke University Hospital
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $20,913 | $55,756 | 2.7× | $11,678 |
| Shoulder replacement | $26,973 | $99,094 | 3.7× | $16,593 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $26,086 | $73,992 | 2.8× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $31,260 | 1.5× | $19,138–$35,662 | 4 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $35,662 | 1.7× | 1 |
| Cigna | $34,518 | 1.7× | 1 |
| BCBS NC | $28,001 | 1.3× | 1 |
| Aetna | $19,138 | 0.9× | 1 |
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-04-01); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-04-01); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 4.9% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 5.9%. Overall Care Compare rating: 5 of 5 stars. For-profit · Acute · 1019 beds
North Carolina requires a certificate of need for new surgery centers.
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay Duke University Hospital for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to Duke University Hospital for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $20,913 (MS-DRG 470, 128 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $11,678 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 518 cases).
What is Duke University Hospital's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $55,756, 2.7× 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 Duke University Hospital?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. James E Davis Ambulatory Surg, an orthopedic surgery center 8.6 mi away, is paid about $8,842 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $12,071 less than an inpatient stay at Duke University Hospital. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does Duke University Hospital compare with other North Carolina hospitals?
Duke University Hospital's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 93% of the 41 North Carolina hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay Duke University 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 $31,260 across 4 insurers, ranging from $19,138 to $35,662.