Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comWakemed: what a joint replacement costs
Cary, NC 27518 · CMS Certification Number 340173. 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 paid | List price | List ÷ paid | Outpatient allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $13,457 | $82,202 | 6.1× | $11,631 |
| Shoulder replacement | $19,612 | $115,229 | 5.9× | $16,334 |
| Hip replacement after a fracture (DRG 522) | $13,877 | $84,126 | 6.1× | — |
Quality
Complications after hip or knee replacement: 4.1% (no different from the national rate). Readmissions: 5.6%. Overall Care Compare rating: 5 of 5 stars. Nonprofit · Acute · 156 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 Medicare paid Wakemed an average of $13,457 per inpatient hip or knee replacement stay (MS-DRG 470, 15 stays) and $11,631 per outpatient case (APC 5115, 151 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 $82,202, 6.1× what Medicare paid. 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. Rex Surgery Center of Cary, LLC, an orthopedic surgery center 2.4 mi away, is paid about $8,762 by Medicare for a knee replacement (CPT 27447), $4,695 less than an inpatient stay at Wakemed. Not every patient is a surgery-center candidate.
How does Wakemed compare with other North Carolina hospitals?
Medicare paid Wakemed less than 80% of the 41 North Carolina hospitals that report inpatient hip or knee replacement.