Multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications in California
What 9 hospitals in California charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications (DRG 427), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$572,358
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$90,185
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$80,293
Average per stay
State rank
#10 of 11
1 = lowest average payment
Hospitals in California billed an average of $572,358 for multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications, about 6.3 times the average total payment of $90,185. That payment is 18% above the U.S. average of $76,200.
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 $90,185Billed $572,358
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: multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCSF Medical CenterSan Francisco | 29 | $616,872 | $120,273 | $105,927 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles | 29 | $837,542 | $84,781 | $80,872 |
| Stanford HospitalPalo Alto | 26 | $737,824 | $108,285 | $102,451 |
| Hoag Orthopedic InstituteIrvine | 19 | $250,722 | $64,153 | $62,521 |
| Fresno Surgical HospitalFresno | 18 | $93,559 | $63,450 | $61,892 |
| Scripps Green HospitalLa Jolla | 15 | $642,356 | $113,450 | $80,719 |
| St Joseph HospitalOrange | 13 | $243,987 | $82,767 | $57,332 |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med CenterMission Viejo | 13 | $314,265 | $64,628 | $63,122 |
| Los Robles Hospital & Medical CenterThousand Oaks | 12 | $1,240,707 | $79,278 | $67,623 |
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
| Fresno Surgical HospitalFresno, CA | $63,450 |
|---|---|
| Hoag Orthopedic InstituteIrvine, CA | $64,153 |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med CenterMission Viejo, CA | $64,628 |
| Los Robles Hospital & Medical CenterThousand Oaks, CA | $79,278 |
| St Joseph HospitalOrange, CA | $82,767 |
Highest
| UCSF Medical CenterSan Francisco, CA | $120,273 |
|---|---|
| Scripps Green HospitalLa Jolla, CA | $113,450 |
| Stanford HospitalPalo Alto, CA | $108,285 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA | $84,781 |
| St Joseph HospitalOrange, CA | $82,767 |
Multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications in other states
Questions
How much does multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications cost in California?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for multiple level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical with complications (DRG 427) at 9 hospitals in California was billed at $572,358 on average, while the average total payment was $90,185, of which Medicare paid $80,293. 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 6.3 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.