How much does Total Knee Replacement cost at Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center?

Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center lists Total Knee Replacement (CPT 27447) at $46,261.35. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $1,159.35, making this a 39.9x markup. The national average charge for this procedure is approximately $20,658.

Does Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center offer financial assistance?

Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center is a nonprofit hospital and is required under IRS Section 501(r) to maintain a written financial assistance policy. Contact their billing department to request the Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) application. Eligibility typically covers patients up to 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level, though thresholds vary by hospital.

Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center billing

Q: What is Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center's billing grade?

BillKarma gives Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center a billing grade of F. This grade is based on an average markup of 36.2x Medicare rates across 13 procedures in their CMS-published price transparency file. This is above the national average of approximately 3.4x Medicare.

1325 S Cliff Ave Post Office Box 5045, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57117

Voluntary non-profit - Private
Acute Care Hospitals
CMS rating 4 of 5

1. Call billing

Have your account number ready. Ask for an itemized bill and ask whether you can apply for financial assistance.

Main hospital line

(605) 322-8000

Ask for patient billing or patient financial services.

Call (605) 322-8000

2. See if you qualify for free or discounted care

As a nonprofit hospital, Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center must have a written financial assistance policy under IRS rule 501(r). You can usually apply up to 240 days after your first bill, even if it went to collections.

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3. Send it in writing

A written request creates a record. Fill in your details, then print, email or mail it to Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center billing.

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Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota receives a BillKarma billing grade of F based on an average markup of 36.2x Medicare rates across 13 procedures in their published price transparency file. This places it among the 10 most expensive hospitals in South Dakota by markup ratio. The highest individual markups are for Diagnostic colonoscopy (104.5x Medicare) and Egd biopsy single/multiple (95.5x Medicare). Patients with scheduled procedures at this hospital should review costs and compare nearby alternatives before confirming — charges at D and F grade hospitals are significantly above the national average.

Common procedure prices

Last updated: 2026-10-21

Code	Description	Hospital charge	Medicare pays	Markup	Your est. cost
45378	Diagnostic colonoscopy	$17202.73	$164.67	104.5×	—
43239	Egd biopsy single/multiple	$11803.78	$123.58	95.5×	—
49650	Lap ing hernia repair init	$28838.55	$424.19	68.0×	—
44970	Laparoscopy appendectomy	$27914.39	$578.17	48.3×	—
23472	Shoulder Replacement	$62762.72	$1300.30	48.3×	—
20610	Joint Injection (drainage)	$1891.57	$39.75	47.6×	—
47562	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy	$26496.97	$631.95	41.9×	—
49505	Prp i/hern init reduc >5 yr	$20742.39	$508.03	40.8×	—
27447	Total Knee Replacement	$46261.35	$1159.35	39.9×	—
29881	Knee Arthroscopy	$19483.54	$515.71	37.8×	—
59025	Fetal non-stress test	$1364.14	$50.44	27.0×	—
70551	Mri brain stem w/o dye	$4067.43	$195.40	20.8×	—
71045	X-ray exam chest 1 view	$463.08	$25.38	18.2×	—
11042	Wound Debridement	$981.07	$55.78	17.6×	—
70553	Mri brain stem w/o & w/dye	$4648.03	$316.97	14.7×	—

Highlighted: charged at 5× or more what Medicare pays for the same code.

How to dispute a bill from Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center

Last updated: 2026-10-21

AVERA MCKENNAN HOSPITAL & UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER currently shows a billing grade of F with an average markup around 36.2x versus Medicare reference rates. In currently loaded benchmark samples, this is above the national average (8.0x). Use that benchmark when asking billing to review line items and justify large gaps. This hospital appears to be nonprofit. Ask for the formal financial assistance application, income thresholds, and deadline rules before making payment commitments. Reported charity-care level is not reported. Before paying, scan your bill with BillKarma to identify line-item issues and generate a dispute packet.

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Nearby hospitals

Sanford Usd Medical Center Sioux Falls · Grade F
Avera Dells Area Hospital - Cah Dell Rapids · Grade F
Avera Flandreau Hospital - Cah Flandreau · Grade F
Avera Gregory Hospital Gregory · Grade F
Avera Queen Of Peace Mitchell · Grade F

Prices at a glance

Billing grade: F
Typical price vs. Medicare: 36.2×
Procedures compared: 13
Rank in South Dakota: 2
Cash discount: None
Patient Experience: Not Reported

From the hospital's price transparency file, compared with 2026 Medicare rates. Last updated: 2026-10-21. How grades work

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