How much does a hip replacement cost?
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common joint procedures in Australia, but the cost can vary significantly depending on whether you’re treated as a public or private patient. Understanding the differences in waiting times, out-of-pocket expenses and what’s covered under Medicare or private health insurance can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs.
Below, we break down the typical costs associated with hip replacement surgery in both the public and private systems.
Hip replacement cost as a public patient
If you choose to have your hip replacement carried out through the public system, there will typically be no out-of-pocket costs. The trade-off is that waiting times for elective procedures can be lengthy.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that in the 2023-24 period, the median wait time nationally for patients to be admitted for a total hip replacement was 135 days.
Hip replacement cost as a private patient
Data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing shows that the median out-of-pocket cost for a hip replacement covered by private hospital insurance in 2023-25 was $1,000. This is based on a total cost of $5,600 for the procedure, with Medicare paying $2,00 and private health insurance typically paying $1,800. This doesn’t include any out-of-pocket costs relating to hospital fees, like an excess or co-payment. It’s also worth noting that a single surgery could potentially involve multiple procedures, each with their own associated costs.
How much does a hip replacement cost without insurance?
Total hip replacement surgery typically costs around $25,600 according to the Federal Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - this cost takes in $5,600 for the procedure and $20,000 for hospital fees. This is how much you might be looking at if you were to have your hip replacement surgery done in a private hospital without private hospital cover.
What is hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery, also known as total hip arthroplasty, is a medical procedure in which some or all of the bones comprising the hip joint are removed and replaced with either a metal or plastic prosthesis designed to mimic the natural function of the joint. A hip replacement can potentially help to alleviate pain and restore mobility, improving one’s quality of life.
Do different surgeons charge different amounts for hip replacements?
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing data shows that the total out-of-pocket cost can range from as low as $250 to as high as $4,900. One of the factors that influences hip replacement surgery costs is your choice of surgeon and/or specialist.
Surgeons and specialists typically set their own fees, which can vary depending on their level of experience and the area they are located. It’s important to ask questions about potential fees and costs during any initial consultations. If you know what treatments or services you’ll need, you can request a written estimate of fees and out-of-pocket costs from your chosen medical practitioner.
Will my choice of health insurer affect my out-of-pocket costs?
When you’re treated in a private hospital for a procedure fully covered by your health insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will typically depend on your insurer’s gap cover scheme and the excess you pay. A gap cover scheme dictates how much, if anything, you need to pay towards your doctor’s fees, and your excess is a set amount you pay towards your hospital fees on admission, both of which vary between insurers.
Your total out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on your factors like the hospital you attend and the surgeon you choose to perform your hip replacement. It may be worth speaking to your health insurer or healthcare professional for more information.
Which state or territory is the cheapest for hip replacement surgery?
Federal Government data shows the median out-of-pocket costs patients were charged in certain states and territories for hip replacements. They are as follows:
- ACT – $4,800
- NSW – $2,900
- Qld – $1,100
- SA – $500
- Vic – $2,100
- WA – $600
At the time of writing no figures for the Northern Territory (NT) or Tasmanian were provided.
What tiers of health insurance cover hip replacements?
Joint replacements are only covered as a minimum requirement on Gold hospital policies, however, joint replacements may also be included as an optional level of cover on Silver plus and Bronze plus policies.
Providers may also have the option of including cover for joint replacements on their Basic hospital policies on a restricted basis. This means the policyholder is partially covered for hospital costs as a private patient in a public hospital, but may incur significant expenses in a private hospital.
Remember that while joint replacements may be covered on a private health insurance hospital policy, excesses, cover limits, waiting periods and maximum payable benefits may vary significantly by policy and product tier. It's important to read the Private Health Information Statement (PHIS) carefully and compare private health insurance policies to help ensure you're getting a level of cover that is suitable for your needs.
