Single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical in California
What 6 hospitals in California charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical (DRG 402), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$349,674
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$53,236
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$45,103
Average per stay
State rank
#13 of 13
1 = lowest average payment
Hospitals in California billed an average of $349,674 for single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical, about 6.6 times the average total payment of $53,236. That payment is 46% above the U.S. average of $36,549.
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 $53,236Billed $349,674
About 15¢ was paid for every $1 hospitals in California billed for this stay.
California hospitals: single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Green HospitalLa Jolla | 24 | $425,160 | $54,220 | $42,652 |
| UCSF Medical CenterSan Francisco | 16 | $303,306 | $62,960 | $58,245 |
| Hoag Orthopedic InstituteIrvine | 16 | $201,535 | $35,470 | $33,838 |
| Stanford HospitalPalo Alto | 15 | $401,554 | $60,293 | $51,924 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles | 14 | $481,351 | $46,491 | $43,188 |
| USC University HospitalLos Angeles | 14 | $255,301 | $59,918 | $41,765 |
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
| Hoag Orthopedic InstituteIrvine, CA | $35,470 |
|---|---|
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA | $46,491 |
| Scripps Green HospitalLa Jolla, CA | $54,220 |
| USC University HospitalLos Angeles, CA | $59,918 |
| Stanford HospitalPalo Alto, CA | $60,293 |
Highest
| UCSF Medical CenterSan Francisco, CA | $62,960 |
|---|---|
| Stanford HospitalPalo Alto, CA | $60,293 |
| USC University HospitalLos Angeles, CA | $59,918 |
| Scripps Green HospitalLa Jolla, CA | $54,220 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA | $46,491 |
Single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical in other states
Questions
How much does single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical cost in California?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for single level combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion except cervical (DRG 402) at 6 hospitals in California was billed at $349,674 on average, while the average total payment was $53,236, of which Medicare paid $45,103. 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 6.6 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.