The average cost for joint replacements varies across hospitals, even those in the same geographic region. Dexur examined the 90-day episode of care data for hip and knee replacements from April 2016 to March 2019 in the San Diego area to determine which health system had the lowest cost of care.
The company examined data from Medicare claims at Sharp Coronado Hospital, Scripps Green Hospital and Palomar Health Downtown Campus. The data included information for DRG 470: Major Joint Replacement or Reattachment of Lower Extremity Without Major Complication or Comorbidity.
The analysis found:
Average 90-day cost per hospitalization for total hip and knee replacements:
Palomar Health Downtown Campus: $19,798
Scripps Green Hospital: $19,114
Sharp Coronado Hospital: $18,686
Average nursing home costs per hospitalization:
Palomar Health Downtown Campus: $17,024
Scripps Green Hospital: $11,174
Sharp Coronado Hospital: $11,069
Dexur looked at similar information for the Philadelphia area and found:
Average 90-day cost per hospitalization for total hip and knee replacements:
Aria Health: $23,347
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: $20,377
Holy Redeemer: $18574
Average nursing home costs per hospitalization:
Aria Health: $9,273
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: $11,629
Holy Redeemer: $5,732
In Des Moines, Iowa, the company also looked at three hospitals to compare joint replacement costs:
Average 90-day cost per hospitalization for total hip and knee replacements:
MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center: $13,551
Iowa Lutheran Hospital: $12,547
Methodist West Hospital – Unity Point Health: $12,186
Average nursing home costs per hospitalization:
MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center: $10,657
Iowa Lutheran Hospital: $4,988
Methodist West Hospital – Unity Point Health: $5,619