Multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications in North Carolina
What 2 hospitals in North Carolina charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications (DRG 448), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$196,861
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$42,209
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$31,460
Average per stay
Volume
41
Medicare hospital stays
Hospitals in North Carolina billed an average of $196,861 for multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications, about 4.7 times the average total payment of $42,209. That payment is 4% above the U.S. average of $40,741.
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 $42,209Billed $196,861
About 21¢ was paid for every $1 hospitals in North Carolina billed for this stay.
North Carolina hospitals: multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications
Every North Carolina hospital that billed Medicare for this stay at least 11 times. Click a column to sort.
| Hospital | Stays | Avg charge | Avg payment | Medicare paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolinas Medical Center/Behav HealthCharlotte | 28 | $223,028 | $42,398 | $28,812 |
| Duke University Medical CenterDurham | 13 | $140,499 | $41,801 | $37,164 |
Multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications in other states
Questions
How much does multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications cost in North Carolina?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for multiple level spinal fusion except cervical without major complications (DRG 448) at 2 hospitals in North Carolina was billed at $196,861 on average, while the average total payment was $42,209, of which Medicare paid $31,460. 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 North Carolina, average charges were 4.7 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.