Average charges for a total knee replacement: United States, 1994.

Total knee replacements (TKRs) have increased more than fourfold since 1989. The charges for these surgeries have been increasing also, and in 1994 claims to MetLife for a TKR averaged $28,340. Three geographic areas reported average total charges above this norm and six below. The highest average total charge (including hospital and physician charges) was reported in New York and California, each with charges 27.1 percent above the U.S. average. These charges are contrasted with the low average charge reported in Ohio, 19.3 percent below the norm. About one-fourth of the total charges were for physician fees, which averaged $7,150 across the country. Among the 16 study states in which at least 15 TKRs were performed in 1994, the average totals ranged from $11,930 in New York to $6,290 in Colorado. On average, the patients remained hospitalized for 6.7 days, with major state variations noted. The longest stay was reported in New York (more than 11.5 days) and the shortest in Arizona (4.6 days). Per diem charges generally were inversely related to the hospital stays, averaging $4,230 and ranged from a high of $6,640 in Arizona to $3,110 in New York.