2026 Forecast Verified

Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Wisconsin (2026)

Near the US median for knee replacement surgery pricing · WI

Wisconsin Average
$34,930
Near national average
Typical Range
$19,960 – $49,900
National avg: $35,000
Editorial view of Wisconsin
Regional Pricing Confidence
90% Confidence Index
The Wisconsin Market

What Drives Pricing Here

Three factors explain most of why knee replacement surgery costs what it does in Wisconsin.

Regional Price Parity

Wisconsin's cost-of-living index sits at 99.8 — near the national benchmark (100). This directly scales facility and staffing overhead, which flow through to every procedure price.

Specialist Availability

80 facilities perform this procedure in Wisconsin — competition keeps pricing honest and gives you real leverage to shop quotes.

Vs. National Benchmark

Wisconsin tracks within 0.2% of the national average ($35,000) — a typical mid-market pricing environment with wide provider variance.

State Context

Knee Replacement Surgery in Wisconsin: What to Know

Wisconsin offers advanced knee replacement options. ProHealth Oconomowoc and Waukesha Memorial Hospitals are Blue Distinction Centers, recognized for expertise. Facilities like The Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin and Aurora Health Care utilize Mako SmartRobotics™ and NAVIO systems for personalized, precise procedures. For a faster recovery, the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin offers the muscle-sparing Jiffy Knee™ technique, while Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital provides minimally invasive surgery with shorter incisions.

Consider Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in Wisconsin, such as Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin in Pewaukee, for potentially lower costs compared to traditional hospitals. UW Health in Madison also offers same-day outpatient knee replacement for eligible patients. These options can significantly reduce your financial burden while still providing high-quality care. Verify current pricing directly with providers.

Itemized Breakdown

Estimated Cost Breakdown in Wisconsin

Knee Replacement Surgery costs in Wisconsin track close to the national average. Here's how the total is divided across cost components.

Facility Fee

OR time and hospital staffing

$7,334 - $13,623

Most significant cost

Surgeon Fee

Expertise and experience level

$7,334 - $13,623

Implants & Supplies

$3,667 - $6,811

Post-Op Care

Recovery and aftercare

$3,667 - $6,811

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee

$2,445 - $4,541

Total Estimated Cost

Wisconsin all-in range

$19,960 – $49,900

Financing Options

Many Wisconsin clinics partner with CareCredit or Alphaeon. A typical 24-month, 0% APR term on $34,930 looks like:

$1,455/mo
Est. 24 months · 0% APR promo
  • Soft credit check — no hard pull
  • Instant approval decisions
  • HSA/FSA eligible for qualifying cases

Prices reflect regional cost-of-living adjustments. How we calculate these numbers →

Ranges adjusted for Wisconsin's regional price parity (99.8). See the national percentage breakdown →

Hospital-Level Data

Facility Costs in Wisconsin

Facilities in Wisconsin offer knee replacement surgery in different settings, each with distinct pricing. These are actual negotiated rates from Medicare claims, not billed charges.

Facility City Negotiated Rate Medicare Volume
University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority Madison $13,020 $11,417 878
Sauk Prairie Hospital Prairie Du Sac $12,729 $11,129 644
Prohealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital Oconomowoc $12,579 $10,979 432
Oakleaf Surgical Hospital Altoona $12,511 $10,911 429
Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc Appleton $12,232 $10,630 397
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center La Crosse $12,837 $11,241 368
Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Franklin $12,440 $10,835 346
Mayo Clinic Health System In Eau Claire Eau Claire $12,812 $11,210 326
Ssm Health St Mary's Hospital - Madison Madison $12,889 $11,286 311
Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Menomonee Falls $12,478 $10,875 289
Facility City Negotiated Rate Medicare Volume
Orthopaedic Hospital Of Wisconsin Glendale $12,904 $10,993 257
University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority Madison $19,426 $16,549 105
Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Franklin $13,251 $10,805 98
Aurora St Lukes Medical Center Milwaukee $16,501 $13,851 45
Prohealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital Oconomowoc $12,646 $11,236 42
Mayo Clinic Health System In Eau Claire Eau Claire $14,670 $12,454 37
Ascension Se Wisconsin Hospital - St Joseph Campus Milwaukee $16,969 $12,669 37
Aurora Medical Center Grafton $12,803 $11,293 36
Thedacare Regional Medical Center - Appleton Inc Appleton $13,879 $11,317 30
Aurora West Allis Medical Center West Allis $14,941 $11,084 24
Regional Comparison

Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Nearby States

Knee Replacement Surgery pricing varies across the region. Here's how Wisconsin stacks up against its neighbors.

Common Questions

Expert Answers for Wisconsin Patients

Local regulations, insurance nuance, and surgical standards specific to Wisconsin.

Compare Wisconsin with any other state

See national pricing, all 50 state comparisons, and detailed cost factors in the main knee replacement surgery cost guide.

View full knee replacement surgery guide
What is the average price of knee replacement surgery in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin patients pay an average of $34,930 for knee replacement surgery. Quotes from individual providers generally fall between $19,960 and $49,900, with facility fees and surgeon experience accounting for most of the variation.
Does insurance cover knee replacement surgery?
Most insurance plans cover knee replacement surgery when it's deemed medically necessary. You'll typically need pre-authorization from your insurer, and staying in-network with a Wisconsin provider will minimize your out-of-pocket share.
When can I return to work after knee replacement surgery?
Plan for 42 to 120 days of downtime after knee replacement surgery in Wisconsin. The first week is typically the most restrictive — after that, you'll gradually resume daily routines. Post-op expenses like prescriptions and follow-up visits in Wisconsin can add $1,746 to $3,493 to your total bill.
How can I finance knee replacement surgery in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin surgeons work with financing companies that offer monthly payment plans. CareCredit and Prosper are the most common. You might also ask about cash-pay pricing — some providers knock 10-20% off the $34,930 sticker price when you pay upfront.
How do I choose a knee replacement surgery facility in Wisconsin?
Compare facilities on volume (higher volume correlates with better outcomes), accreditation status, and the negotiated rate vs. what you'd pay out of pocket. In Wisconsin, check whether an outpatient surgery center can perform your knee replacement surgery — ASCs typically charge 30-50% less than hospitals for the same procedure.
Is it worth traveling to another state for knee replacement surgery?
Yes — Iowa offers knee replacement surgery at an average of $33,425, which is $1,505 less than Wisconsin. Factor in travel costs, follow-up visit logistics, and whether your insurance network covers out-of-state providers before making the trip.
Is knee replacement surgery covered under Wisconsin's Medicaid program?
Wisconsin Medicaid may cover knee replacement surgery when it's medically necessary and your doctor provides supporting documentation. Coverage details vary by managed care plan, so check directly with your Medicaid provider for pre-authorization steps.
Data Sources & References

How we calculate knee replacement surgery costs in Wisconsin

Cost estimates combine procedure-specific pricing data with regional cost-of-living and provider-supply adjustments. Primary sources:

  • Hospital pricing transparency files — CMS-required machine-readable data published by hospitals under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule (effective January 2021). Provides actual negotiated rates between hospitals and insurers.
  • HCUP (Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project)AHRQ's HCUP databases provide nationally-representative procedure cost data by state, payer, and patient demographics.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics — Healthcare Practitioner Occupational WagesBLS OEWS data on surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical staff wages by state, used to model regional labor-cost differences in procedure pricing.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP)U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis state-level price-level indices, used to adjust national procedure averages for Wisconsin's cost-of-living relative to the national mean.
  • FAIR Health Consumer Cost Lookup — the FAIR Health database aggregates billed and allowed amounts from over 36 billion claim records, providing a check on procedure-cost ranges by ZIP code.
  • Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment DataCMS public-use files on Medicare-allowed amounts and submitted charges by HCPCS/CPT code and state, used as a baseline for procedure-cost ranges.

Estimates are illustrative and reflect typical pricing ranges; actual costs depend on insurance coverage, surgical complexity, anesthesia type, hospital vs. ambulatory setting, and individual patient factors. Always confirm pricing directly with providers and your insurance carrier. See our methodology page for full calculation details.

Compare Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Every State