I was just wondering what is the cost for total knee
replacement surgery. I know here in the states with insurance it can run up to and over $150k. I am just curious as the what it is in other countries.
Thanks
Hi tom
In Australia we can access the public health system for free. There are wait times, no choice of surgeon etc. however in my case, my MD was well connected to a large teaching hospital so my op was done very quickly by a young Ortho registrar with supervision by one of Australia's best Ortho specialists for athletic injuries. The total cost with hospital fees, drugs, devices, bandages etc would be around AUD30-50K for bilateral knees after I totalled up an estimate of expenses. If I had paid AUD6K I could have had my choice of surgeoun. I understand the system here and how it works and only the top2% of medical students get to complete their training at my chosen hospital. G
Hi Tom,
Based on the insurance invoice I received this week for the TKR and 5 nights in a top Dublin hospital it is €15,500 plus €2,000 surplus paid by patient.
On continental Europe all medical costs a lot less
Alan
Sorry I wanted to add that if I had been a privately insured patient I would have to pay for "extras" and gaps in what the health fund covers and what the hospital and surgeoun charges. Good question tom!
Tom I have private medical insurance but when I enquired about having it done in Beacon Hospital, Dublin, my policy did not cover this procedure here. It's over €15,000. My surgeon operates in Kilkenny and that's where I had it done. The cost was €13,600.! Some difference eh??
Hi Tom,
I'm from Adelaide, Australia and so far we still have a decent public health care system. But the current wealthy corporate extreme right wing fascist LNP Govt are doing all theycan to destroy it, as conservatives do hate the average Jo getting any help. Two years back, under this system, I had a Distal Femur prosthetic operation on my left knee, where part of my thigh, and entire knee joint is replaced replaced with metal for no cost to me. The stated cost was supposed to be around the Aus $50k mark. I'm shocked to hear you say that even with insurance, you have to pay over $150k. 
That's just got to be pure greed & profiteering. The very reason we're fighting off the sale & privatisation of our Medicare system. Good luck with your knee anyway!! 
Regards,
Rog
It is very interesting the difference in cost. Here we can choose our own surgeon as ling as they are in what our insurance company calls in network. Now insurance companies also have negotiate rates with doctors so what is billed vs what is paid is a little different. For example my bill for my tka a semi private room for one night $5700usd
the cost just for the implant $27325.usd
Medication for pain and antibiotics $5040.usd. this does not included the surgeons fees or the operating room fees ect
Then we have to pay for physical therapy and anything else they want to throw in. So yes with insurance thru private company out of pocket cost can push 20K to 30k usd. So thanks for the info
God bless Canada. The surgery was all free, hospitalization etc. We can even borrow the aids needed, walker, crutches etc.physiotheraphy is also provided free of charge if needed. I'm still employed and therefore am still drawing a full salary. Even the PAIN is free. I feel so blessed and sorry for those that have to pay.
Have no idea, why do you need to kno
Yes the only thing free here is the pain. Thanks you.
There is no reason to know it was just a question and I find it very interesting plus it keeps me busy. Thanks and have a nice day
You are BLESSED!
I'm in the US and the hospital bill for 5 days was $68,000. I haven't received the surgeon or anesthesiologist bills yet. Pain is free here!!!
Thanks linda,
This was just something I thinking about. As I am also in us and pain is always free.
I'm on Medicare so everything is covered except some of the prescription co pays after the hospital dismissal. When I look at the charged part the hospital bills for appx 3 days hospitalization around 35 K. All the Dr's are separate Bill and the avg surgeon is around 13K for primary sugeon and all the others from $850 to 3k each. Physical therapy is fully paid but limited and prescriptions vary per plan. I was in a rehab facility 3 times at 3 weeks each fully covered. I did a rough estimate a few months ago and figured with all my surgeries and rehabs the billing price is around $750,000 to 1 million. Wish I could say I was walking correctly without pain but...............
Hi, I live in the UK where all health treatment is free of charge. However I have an axa private health insurance which I took out 15 years ago as it gives me more freedom of choice. I had a TKR last September chose my surgeon and where I wanted the operation to take place and when I wanted it done. The total cost was £15,000. Most of the cost came from the hospital, single room better food and one to one nursing. Three days stay £14,000! The surgeon charged £900. Hope this helps you.
The result is exceptional knee is as good as new.
Thanks you and thanks to everyone for all their input. This is just one more way to take my mind of the pain. Thanks again
We kid ourselves if we really think anything is free. Somehow, someway there is a cost that the individuals are payin for. When someone says the gov't pays then the question is who's the gov't.......we are. My daughter dated a foreign student from Sweden......61% of their income was taxed for free healh care
Yes, that true enough for sure. A bit uniquely foir me, not paying anything other than tax (which I don't pay now anyway because I'm unemployed... and without benefits) is the most free it could get with this kind of thing.
Ever grateful for our public health system. If we could rid Australia of our sh_tty corrupt LNP fascist Govt, there'd be way more in the public coffers from the fair taxing of all the corporates & super wealthy that're currently rorting our tax net.
Do u have any other tricks for getting past the pain? Norco isn't helping at all. Trying Benadryl and Melatonin to knock me out tonight- hopefully!