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Cost of total knee replacement

Posted , 22 users are following.

tom67073
tom67073

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

0 likes, 69 replies

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  • lyn32416
    lyn32416 tom67073

    Posted

    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

    • lyn32416
      lyn32416

      Posted

      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!
  • Irish_Al
    Irish_Al tom67073

    Posted

    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

    • tom67073
      tom67073 Irish_Al

      Posted

      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

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 tom67073

      Posted

      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...............
    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al tom67073

      Posted

      Hi Tom,

      Hope you are feeling well.

      All good here, weather beautiful? Pain not too bad, and all free😉

      Happy to be alive and well.

      Talk later,Alan

    • tom67073
      tom67073 Irish_Al

      Posted

      Hi Alan

      Great to here all is good. Weather is very nice here today, we are expecting a hugh rain storm tonight and tomorrow. I was reading all the comments on the cost of knee replacement some very interesting conversations regarding cost. I should of also asked what is the wait time to get it done?

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 tom67073

      Posted

      My 1st time I waited 60 days because of an event that I wanted to attend but could have had it in 3 weeks otherwise.

      My revision, about 2 months because of Christmas and my dr was on a long weekend after new years.

      The 3rd time, I had it done a week after the staph was offically deemed cleared so it took 4 months of immobilization and non weight bearing.

      I go to a teaching university medical center and the tell me the average wait is 4 to 6 weeks. It wouldn't take that long except they get so many emergency cases where they have to straighten out issues that come in from around a large surrounding area. It is the only class A. Or class one trauma center in the area

    • tom67073
      tom67073 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      I had mine done two weeks after we decided to do it. First week was all blood work, ekg and all medical clearances need for example dental and medical
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 tom67073

      Posted

      Many hospitals around here are less than as month. Some require you to go through a 2 or 3 hr training session so you get an actual feel for what's going on, holding and handling an actual prosthesis, knowing the routine. They do these once or twice a month so that schedule is sort of dictates surgery schedules. I went through one but didn't need it again. I was asked to participate in one to answer questions tossed out by some 20 people who were on tap for surgery. I may have been a little to honest....never got asked back
  • nuala16574
    nuala16574 tom67073

    Posted

    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??
    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al nuala16574

      Posted

      Hi Niall,

      I had TKR in Beacon 5.5 weeks ago?

      How are you doing?

      I'm going pretty well I think, still have some sore mornings, still not great sleep but getting better.

      Love to know how you are getting on and how long v ago was your op.

      Take Care,

      .Al

    • nuala16574
      nuala16574 Irish_Al

      Posted

      Hi Al. Thanks for taking the time to write me. I had LTKR 29th April just over 4 weeks ago in Aut Even, Kilkenny, VHI wouldn't cover me in Beacon. Anyway I'm doing ok. Can't sleep very well though and still in pain. Mr Neligan straightened a bend in my leg so could account for additional pain. ?? I'm attending physio in Beacon for 6 weeks but the knee bend is just so difficult. Was 95 last week!! Here's hoping for better days. Hope you are improving by the day yourself. It's a big op so pain is inevitable.

      Nuala

    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al nuala16574

      Posted

      Wow. Happy Birthday.

      I have been attending physio on Wednesdays in the Beacon for last 4 weeks.

      Maybe I'll bp into you and say Hello.

      Maurice Nelligan is a great surgeon and one nice man.

      Best wishes,

      Al

    • nuala16574
      nuala16574 Irish_Al

      Posted

      Al 95 degrees on knee bend quite a few years to go to that age.ha..
    • Irish_Al
      Irish_Al nuala16574

      Posted

      Ha, Ha.

      Sorry. I can't believe I read it as 95 years. My wife was singing your praises....'what a super attitude'..... 'They're the kind of women this country needs'.....and more. Can't wait to tell her, she'll have some laugh.😄

      Anyway best wishes, enjoy the sunshine. And take care. 😎

      Alan

      PS. I was thinking, Wow, computer literate at 95.......

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