Knee Replacement Cost: United Kingdom vs United States (2026)
31% lower in the United Kingdom
The reference price for knee replacement is $9,887 in the United Kingdom and $14,275 in the United States, a difference of about $4,388.
Side-by-side prices
| Country | Price type | Published range (local) | Reference (local) | Reference in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | NHS national unit price (fewest other health problems) | £7,396 – £11,087 | £7,396 | $9,887 |
| United States | Medicare hospital outpatient average | $10,552 – $14,275 | $14,275 | $14,275 |
Knee Replacement price detail: United Kingdom
| HRG code | Patient complexity | NHS price | In USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| HN22E | CC score 0-1 | £7,396 | $9,887 |
| HN22D | CC score 2-3 | £7,761 | $10,375 |
| HN22C | CC score 4-5 | £8,248 | $11,026 |
| HN22B | CC score 6-7 | £10,394 | $13,895 |
| HN22A | CC score 8+ | £11,087 | $14,821 |
Knee Replacement price detail: United States
| Setting | Total | Doctor fee | Patient pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital outpatient department | $14,275 | $1,159 | $1,967 |
| Ambulatory surgical center | $10,552 | $1,159 | $2,109 |
What each price includes
- United Kingdom: NHS national unit price (fewest other health problems). The whole hospital stay for the operation: surgery, theatre, the implant or device, nursing, medicines and a normal length of stay. Very long stays get an extra daily payment. NHS patients do not pay this price: NHS hospital treatment is free at the point of use for people who live in the UK.
- United States: Medicare 2026 national average in a hospital outpatient department, CPT 27447, including facility and doctor fees. A Medicare patient pays about $1,967. Private insurance and self-pay prices are usually higher.
About knee replacement
Total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty) removes the damaged surfaces of the knee joint and replaces them with metal and plastic implant parts. Surgeons usually recommend a knee replacement when severe arthritis or injury causes pain and stiffness that no longer respond to other treatment. The operation typically takes one to two hours. Depending on the country and hospital, patients stay between zero nights (same-day surgery) and several days, followed by weeks of physiotherapy. The total bill is driven by the implant, the hospital stay, the surgeon and anaesthetist fees, and rehabilitation.
Before travelling for treatment, also budget for flights, accommodation, recovery time and follow-up care, and check the hospital's accreditation and whether your insurance covers treatment abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Is knee replacement cheaper in the United Kingdom or the United States?
Are these prices directly comparable?
Sources
- NHS England. 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme, Annex A: prices workbook (updated August 2026). www.england.nhs.uk/publication/2026-27-nhs-payment-scheme/. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare.gov. Procedure Price Lookup for Outpatient Services (national averages, 2026 payments). www.medicare.gov/procedure-price-lookup/. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
- European Central Bank. Euro foreign exchange reference rates (2026-10-23). www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error
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- Knee Replacement cost in the United Kingdom
- Knee Replacement cost in the United States
- Knee Replacement cost in all countries
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