Cost of Total Knee Replacement

The CPT billing code for TKR is 27447, for unicompartmental knee replacement 27446 and for patellofemoral arthroplasty 27438. These codes are useful to patients when discussing cost with insurance companies or surgeons. Surgeon fee varies between physicians but is typically several thousand dollars (Dr. Tarlow fees available on request). Surgeon payment varies between insurers and these payments are typically 25-50 % of stated surgeon fees. Medicare surgeon payment in Arizona in 2009 is $1411. Similarly, hospital payments are typically 25-50 % of hospital charges. Do not be aghast when receiving the statement for your surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesiologist or hospital/surgery center. Once the fees are adjusted by the payer the cost will be reasonable and affordable for most budgets. Charges typically associated with TKR include surgeon fee for total knee (27447), surgeon fee for Computer Navigation (20985), surgical assistant fee (12-20 % of surgeon payment — not fee), anesthesiologist fee, hospital fee and physical therapy fee. If you would like to know more or have specific questions about medical costs, contact me via my website.