Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comWakemed: what a joint replacement costs
Raleigh, NC 27610 · CMS Certification Number 340069. 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 Wakemed
| Operation | Inpatient avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $17,441 | $96,830 | 5.6× | $11,546 |
| Shoulder replacement | — | — | — | $16,525 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $17,970 | $84,541 | 4.7× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $29,117 | 1.7× | $24,838–$30,380 | 3 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $30,380 | 1.7× | 1 |
| BCBS NC | $29,117 | 1.7× | 1 |
| Aetna | $24,838 | 1.4× | 1 |
| First Health (rental network) | $20,950 | 1.2× | 1 |
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-02-11); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
From the hospital's price-transparency file (2026-02-11); commercial plans, dollar-amount contracts only.
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 4.2% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 6.5%. Overall Care Compare rating: 4 of 5 stars. Nonprofit · Acute · 678 beds
North Carolina requires a certificate of need for new surgery centers.
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Questions
How much does Medicare pay Wakemed for a knee or hip replacement?
In 2024 the average total payment to Wakemed for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $17,441 (MS-DRG 470, 12 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $11,546 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 141 cases).
What is Wakemed's list price for a joint replacement?
The hospital's average list (chargemaster) price for an inpatient hip or knee replacement was $96,830, 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 Wakemed?
Yes for Medicare facility payments. Capital City Surgery Center, an orthopedic surgery center same ZIP away, is paid about $8,762 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $8,679 less than an inpatient stay at Wakemed. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does Wakemed compare with other North Carolina hospitals?
Wakemed's average total payment per Medicare stay is higher than 85% of the 41 North Carolina hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.
What do commercial insurers pay Wakemed 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 $29,117 across 3 insurers, ranging from $24,838 to $30,380.