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 avg total payment Medicare + patient share | List price | List ÷ total | Outpatient Medicare 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× | — |
Commercial negotiated rates (beta)
| MS-DRG 470 | Median across insurers | × Medicare total payment | Lowest–highest insurer | Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip or knee replacement | $29,117 | 2.2× | $24,838–$30,380 | 3 |
| Insurer | Median negotiated, MS-DRG 470 | × Medicare total payment | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $30,380 | 2.3× | 1 |
| BCBS NC | $29,117 | 2.2× | 1 |
| Aetna | $24,838 | 1.8× | 1 |
| First Health (rental network) | $20,950 | 1.6× | 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: 4.1% (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 the average total payment to Wakemed for an inpatient hip or knee replacement stay was $13,457 (MS-DRG 470, 15 Medicare stays; Medicare's payment plus the patient's deductible and coinsurance), and the Medicare allowed amount averaged $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× 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. 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?
Wakemed's average total payment per Medicare stay is lower than 80% 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.