Back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications in Massachusetts
What 3 hospitals in Massachusetts charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications (DRG 520), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$68,207
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$19,256
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$12,861
Average per stay
State rank
#6 of 7
1 = lowest average payment
Hospitals in Massachusetts billed an average of $68,207 for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications, about 3.5 times the average total payment of $19,256. That payment is 30% above the U.S. average of $14,856.
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 $19,256Billed $68,207
About 28¢ was paid for every $1 hospitals in Massachusetts billed for this stay.
Medicare prices this stay in 3 versions, by how sick the patient was. Compare them in Massachusetts:
Massachusetts hospitals: back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications
Every Massachusetts hospital that billed Medicare for this stay at least 11 times. Click a column to sort.
| Hospital | Stays | Avg charge | Avg payment | Medicare paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts General HospitalBoston | 19 | $88,052 | $22,311 | $13,166 |
| Brigham and Women's HosptialBoston | 13 | $66,486 | $16,651 | $14,435 |
| Lahey Clinic HospitalBurlington | 11 | $35,962 | $17,059 | $10,474 |
Lowest and highest payments in Massachusetts
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
| Brigham and Women's HosptialBoston, MA | $16,651 |
|---|---|
| Lahey Clinic HospitalBurlington, MA | $17,059 |
| Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, MA | $22,311 |
Highest
| Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, MA | $22,311 |
|---|---|
| Lahey Clinic HospitalBurlington, MA | $17,059 |
| Brigham and Women's HosptialBoston, MA | $16,651 |
Back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications in other states
Questions
How much does back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications cost in Massachusetts?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for back and neck procedures except spinal fusion without complications (DRG 520) at 3 hospitals in Massachusetts was billed at $68,207 on average, while the average total payment was $19,256, of which Medicare paid $12,861. 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 Massachusetts, average charges were 3.5 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.