Back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator in California
What 5 hospitals in California charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator (DRG 518), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$249,944
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$39,210
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$35,539
Average per stay
State rank
#1 of 1
1 = lowest average payment
Hospitals in California billed an average of $249,944 for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator, about 6.4 times the average total payment of $39,210. That payment is 1% above the U.S. average of $38,704.
These are averages for patients with original (fee-for-service) Medicare. Private insurance pays different, negotiated prices, and what you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Use these figures to compare hospitals, not as a quote.
Paid $39,210Billed $249,944
About 16¢ was paid for every $1 hospitals in California billed for this stay.
Medicare prices this stay in 3 versions, by how sick the patient was. Compare them in California:
California hospitals: back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator
Every California hospital that billed Medicare for this stay at least 11 times. Click a column to sort.
| Hospital | Stays | Avg charge | Avg payment | Medicare paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles | 31 | $422,324 | $42,415 | $39,083 |
| Saint John's Health CenterSanta Monica | 21 | $108,070 | $31,224 | $29,428 |
| Community Hospital of the Monterey PeninsulaMonterey | 14 | $179,617 | $41,619 | $40,104 |
| Sutter General HospitalSacramento | 11 | $154,200 | $44,097 | $38,344 |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital la JollaLa Jolla | 11 | $220,245 | $37,466 | $28,601 |
Lowest and highest payments in California
Among hospitals with at least 11 Medicare hospital stays. Differences reflect local wage costs, teaching status and how sick patients were, as well as price.
Lowest
| Saint John's Health CenterSanta Monica, CA | $31,224 |
|---|---|
| Scripps Memorial Hospital la JollaLa Jolla, CA | $37,466 |
| Community Hospital of the Monterey PeninsulaMonterey, CA | $41,619 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA | $42,415 |
| Sutter General HospitalSacramento, CA | $44,097 |
Highest
| Sutter General HospitalSacramento, CA | $44,097 |
|---|---|
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA | $42,415 |
| Community Hospital of the Monterey PeninsulaMonterey, CA | $41,619 |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital la JollaLa Jolla, CA | $37,466 |
| Saint John's Health CenterSanta Monica, CA | $31,224 |
Back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator in other states
Questions
How much does back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator cost in California?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion with major complications or disc device or neurostimulator (DRG 518) at 5 hospitals in California was billed at $249,944 on average, while the average total payment was $39,210, of which Medicare paid $35,539. Your own cost depends on your insurance, deductible and the hospital.
Why are hospital charges so much higher than payments?
Charges are a hospital's list prices. Medicare pays fixed rates set in advance, and private insurers negotiate their own discounts, so almost nobody pays the full charge. For this stay in California, average charges were 6.4 times the average payment. Uninsured patients can ask the hospital about its financial assistance (charity care) policy and cash prices.
Source: CMS, Medicare Inpatient Hospitals by Provider and Service, 2024. Average total payment includes Medicare's payment, the patient's deductible and coinsurance, and any other payer. CMS omits hospitals with fewer than 11 hospital stays for privacy. About the data.