Learn More about General Cost of Medical Care in the US and Average Charges within a State
Categories
- Ambulatory Surgery - General Average Cost - Cataracts, Tonsillectomy, Hernia, etc. (19)
- Doctors' Charges, Physician Prices, Average Cost, Anesthesia (17)
- Drugs - General Average Cost of Prescription Drugs (11)
- Emergency Room - Typical Average Cost of Hospital ED Visit (14)
- How Much Does Medicare Usually Pay for Healthcare? (3)
- Inpatient - Average Cost, Typical Prices, Ballpark (86)
- Miscellaneous Specialty Services that May Not be Covered by Insurance - Typical Average Cost (5)
- Nursing Home, Home Health, Assisted Living - General Average Cost (8)
- Leader Education - Learn More about Health Care Costs (16)
Primary Listings
Average Medicare Payments for Hospital Outpatient Services
Average 2007 Medicare costs for outpatient procedures commonly performed in hospitals, listed by county and state, as well as US overall average Medicare payment. Check file of 61 Procedures that include scope of colon (colonoscopy), or shoulder, upper stomach-intestine scope, bladder exam, scope removal of tumors, stents; removal of damaged skin; rotator cuff repair; breast biopsy, prostate needle biopsy, other biopsy with scope procedures; cataract removal & lens insert, and post-cataract laser surgery; hemodialysis access; injection of lower back; breaking up kidney stones, wrist fracture surgery, hernia repair, nerve block injections and more. File of 20 procedures has x-ray, cardiac cath, scans, carpal tunnel, gall bladder, hernia repair. Preventive services file has vaccines and immunizations. Three files could contain any procedure. Shows volume and Medicare payment, but not original charges. Knowing the CPT code might help you find the right procedure. Not at all user-friendly, Excel format, but covers every state. Oct. 2008
Maine - Outpatient Diagnostic Test Prices, 2007
Average prices from 2007 listed for a common Radiation Oncology treatments ($432), Mammograms ($141 for CPT 77057), CAT scan of abdomen ($1238), Pelvic ultrasound ($412), Thorax CT $1225; Chest x-ray ($183), Bone density study ($260), more. Consumers should anticipate higher prices in 2009. HealthWeb of Maine
Maine - Outpatient Lab Prices (2007)
State of Maine shows average charges (closest available to average cost) for Lab tests such as CBC ($120 in 2007), Lipid panel ($76), PTT $36; Comprehensive Metabolic panel $120; Surgical Pathology report $244, routine venipuncture $14, TSH $92, and other common test prices from $17 to $90. Prices for 2009 may be substantially higher
Minnesota: How Much Does It Cost? (word doc)
Short document from the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, 2005, displays average charges (from 2003) for nearly 50 common medical treatments (including endoscopy, ear tubes, hysterectomy, tonsillectomy, having a baby, and some prescription drugs), using Minnesota data. An interesting comparison is the cost for the same problem (e.g. sore throat or ear ache), depending on whether the patient seeks office care, urgent care or ER care. This report adds together charges from both the hospital and the physician - not commonly seen in reports of charges. In a time when price data are so difficult to get, this report earns an Editor's Pick as a starting point. After all, did you know that stepping on a rusty nail could cost over $1000, or that a colonoscopy could be a $2000 question? (And this was BEFORE 7 years of steady price increases!)
Montana Hospital Outpatient Surgery Costs
Compare MT hospital charges for ambulatory surgery and diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, breast biopsy, cardiac stress tests, cardiac catheterization. All prices EXCLUDE surgeon fees and other physician costs. PricePoint system shows last year's facility prices for common surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy, cataracts, ear tubes, knee cartilage, bunions, child's appendix removal, carpal tunnel, skin lesions, upper GI endoscopy; 2010 costs
New Hampshire Costs - Outpatient Surgery, Tests and Maternity
Shows typical prices for many outpatient procedures, plus inpatient maternity care. NH Health Cost shows expected average cost for over 30 common tests and ambulatory surgeries including colonoscopy, mammogram, ER visit; chest x-ray or x-ray for spine, shoulder, knee, ankle, or foot; bone density scan, CT scan (3 types), MRI for back, brain, knee, or pelvis; myocardial imaging; arthrocentesis, arthroscopy of knee, breast biopsy, destruction of lesion, outpatient gall bladder surgery, hernia repair, kidney stone removal, tonsillectomy, breast ultrasound, and other maternity ultrasound tests, births. Site uses 2010-2011 costs increased for price inflation, common language instead of requiring codes, and includes physician fees. Must supply zip code and insurance information (or no insurance). Report by The NH Department of Insurance updated 2012
Texas - Diabetes Patient Charges and Quality of Care, 2009 (TBGH)
Report on Type 2 Diabetes shows average 2009 charges for inpatient hospital, outpatient, office visits, ambulatory surgery, emergency room, insulin and other drugs, for diabetes patients in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Ft. Worth/Arlington, Houston, and San Antonio, TX. Quality results also shown. Some numbers compared to Denver, Boston, Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul. By Texas Business Group on Health, October 2010
Utah - Prices for Wellness Exams and Early Screening (Utah)
Jump to page 15 to see average billed price in UT (and average cost paid by insurance companies) in 2009 for preventive physical exams ($468 price for men, $438 women), Colon cancer screening ($1677 billed charges which probably do not include physician fees, $580 average payment by health plan), breast cancer screen ($397 charge), Lipid test ($327) and cervical cancer screening ($136 charge). Utah Atlas of Healthcare by Utah Dept. of Health Oct. 2010
Virginia Healthcare Prices (2011)
Find average price PAID for 30 common healthcare services, including hospitalizations (maternity), outpatient xray/imaging, CT and MRI tests; colonoscopy, mammogram; inpatient or ambulatory surgery (e.g. hernia, gall bladder, knee replacement, tonsillectomy, kidney stones); and ER or office visits. Shows facility cost PLUS the surgeon or other physician fees. Each service shows the average allowed amount that you or your insurance plan paid in 2011. More comprehensive than most pricing information. From Virginia Health Information (VHI), updated Nov. 2012
Self-Reported Average Costs - Medica (Health Plan Contract Rates)
Main Street Medica provides average cost ranges by hospital or clinic name, for common hospital inpatient stays, outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging tests, medical equipment, prosthetics, & supplies for diabetes & ostomy care, chiropractors. Also gives comparative costs for generic vs. prescription drugs, and price estimates for lab tests. Links to hospital quality comparison tool by WebMD, and clinic quality ratings reports. Includes Minnesota, Fargo and Grand Forks, ND, Sioux Falls, SD and a few WI hospitals. Reported prices apply to Medica member services, not necessarily the general public. Prices may be a little old, but site is very responsive and easy to use. Medica is a Twin Cities-based NCQA-accredited health insurance plan serving 1.3 million people.
Other Helpful Listings
Prevention Makes Common "Cents"
Detailed report by US Department of Health and Human Services (September 2003) addressing the cost of disease and illness. Specific sections are included on Overweight and Obesity, Diabetes, Cardiovascular (Heart) Disease, Asthma, and Tobacco Use. Metabolic Syndrome also discussed
Statistical Abstract 2012: Health Utilization, Expenditures, Diseases
US Census Bureau's National Data Book presents statistics on health expenditures and insurance coverage, healthcare workforce, injuries, diseases including 5-year cancer survival rates, disability status, nutritional intake of the population, and food consumption. Average hospital cost per day in 2009 was $1853, or $10,043 per stay (tables 173 & 174); average cost per state is shown. Data in Excel or pdf