US cash prices vs. typical Colombia ranges

Same surgery.
Two very different quotes.

A total knee replacement runs $17,679 at one of the most transparent cash-price surgery centers in the US. In Colombia, the typical 2026 range for the same operation is $8,000–$13,000 — surgeon, clinic, and anesthesia included. We put the numbers side by side so you can decide with your eyes open.

Side-by-side surgery estimate cards: US cash price versus typical Colombia range for a knee replacement

Eight surgeries, priced both ways

US bars use published all-inclusive cash prices (anchored to transparent-price surgery centers like Surgery Center of Oklahoma) or documented self-pay averages. Colombia bars show the midpoint of typical 2026 ranges reported by accredited clinics — hover any bar for the full range. These are informational ranges, not quotes.

Sources: published US cash-pay/self-pay prices (2025–2026) · Colombia figures are typical 2026 clinic-reported ranges, not quotes. Currency: USD.

Read them like real estimates

Every line below is a typical 2026 range. The yellow highlight is what most patients care about: the all-in number.

Total Knee Replacement

US cash (all-inclusive)$17,679
Colombia typical$8,000–13,000
Typical difference$5k–9k+
Bundle usually includes surgeon, clinic, anesthesia, hardware.

Gastric Sleeve

US self-pay avg~$14,900
Colombia typical$5,500–9,500
Typical difference$5k–9k
US range runs $9,000–16,000 depending on facility.

Cataract (per eye)

US cash benchmark$4,800
Colombia typical$1,200–2,500
Typical difference$2.3k–3.6k
Premium lenses add cost in both countries — ask itemized.

Total Hip Replacement

US cash (all-inclusive)$17,579
Colombia typical$8,500–13,500
Typical difference$4k–9k
Confirm implant brand and model in any quote you get.

Gallbladder Removal

US cash benchmark$6,836
Colombia typical$3,500–5,500
Typical difference$1.3k–3.3k
Laparoscopic; overnight stay often included in Colombia.

ACL Repair

US cash benchmark$7,931
Colombia typical$4,000–7,000
Typical difference$1k–4k
Ask whether post-op physio sessions are bundled.

Why the second column is Colombia

Cheap is easy to find. Cheap and credible is the hard part — and it is why this network exists.

A ranked health system

The WHO's 2000 world health report ranked Colombia's health system #1 in the Western Hemisphere and #22 globally — ahead of the United States and Canada in that assessment.

Hospital-level JCI accreditation

Several Colombian hospitals hold Joint Commission International accreditation at the hospital level — the same standard used to evaluate leading US institutions.

Verifiable surgeons

Every licensed Colombian physician appears in ReTHUS, the national public credential registry. We show you how to check any surgeon's registration yourself before you commit.

We're actually there

This network is run from Medellín, not a call center abroad. Clinics get visited in person, and your questions get answered by someone in the same time zone as your surgeon.

A pristine white clinical examination chair and equipment A warm, modern consultation room with a clipboard ready on the counter

From browsing to a real quote

Three steps, no payment, no pressure.

STEP 01

Tell us the procedure

Use the form below or WhatsApp. Include anything you already know — imaging, diagnosis, prior consults. More detail means tighter pricing.

STEP 02

We route your case

Your request goes to clinics that actually do that procedure well, along with the details they need to price it properly instead of guessing.

STEP 03

Compare real numbers

You get clinic responses with itemized pricing you can hold side by side — and honest guidance on what each quote does and doesn't include.

Get real quotes for your surgery

Tell us what you're researching and we'll route it to clinics that can price it properly. No cost, no obligation — and the fastest way to reach us is WhatsApp.

Or email andy@colombiamedical.co — we answer everything ourselves, from Medellín.