Why it costs... $24,200 for a knee replacement (Washington Post)
Adding up the charges:
$4,500 Artificial knee
$500 Radiology
$600 Nurses and technicians
$2,400 Surgeon
$1,200 Anesthesia
$600 Medical and operating supplies
$2,500 Operating room charge (varies by hospital and length of surgery)
$700 Recovery room charge
$11,000 Hospital stay (average is 3.5 nights)
$200 Brace and crutches
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$24,000 Total
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