Spinal fusion except cervical without major complications in Wisconsin
What 8 hospitals in Wisconsin charged and were paid for a Medicare hospital stay for spinal fusion except cervical without major complications (DRG 460), from 2024 Medicare claims.
Average charge
$126,682
Hospital list price billed
Average payment
$32,992
Medicare + patient + other payers
Medicare paid
$25,251
Average per stay
State rank
#27 of 43
1 = lowest average payment
Hospitals in Wisconsin billed an average of $126,682 for spinal fusion except cervical without major complications, about 3.8 times the average total payment of $32,992. That payment is 3% below the U.S. average of $34,025.
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 $32,992Billed $126,682
About 26¢ was paid for every $1 hospitals in Wisconsin billed for this stay.
Medicare prices this stay in 2 versions, by how sick the patient was. Compare them in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin hospitals: spinal fusion except cervical without major complications
Every Wisconsin hospital that billed Medicare for this stay at least 11 times. Click a column to sort.
| Hospital | Stays | Avg charge | Avg payment | Medicare paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha Memorial HospitalWaukesha | 29 | $155,320 | $30,930 | $23,472 |
| Aurora St Lukes Medical CenterMilwaukee | 29 | $178,061 | $31,832 | $26,469 |
| Aspirus Wausau HospitalWausau | 26 | $98,815 | $28,994 | $22,295 |
| St Mary's HospitalMadison | 23 | $87,941 | $28,853 | $24,631 |
| University of Wi Hospitals & Clinics AuthorityMadison | 21 | $115,163 | $38,843 | $28,034 |
| Froedtert Mem Lutheran HsptlMilwaukee | 19 | $165,793 | $46,577 | $30,398 |
| Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical CenterLa Crosse | 15 | $86,131 | $33,064 | $25,685 |
| Orthopaedic Hsptl of WiGlendale | 15 | $86,828 | $27,023 | $21,562 |
Lowest and highest payments in Wisconsin
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
| Orthopaedic Hsptl of WiGlendale, WI | $27,023 |
|---|---|
| St Mary's HospitalMadison, WI | $28,853 |
| Aspirus Wausau HospitalWausau, WI | $28,994 |
| Waukesha Memorial HospitalWaukesha, WI | $30,930 |
| Aurora St Lukes Medical CenterMilwaukee, WI | $31,832 |
Highest
| Froedtert Mem Lutheran HsptlMilwaukee, WI | $46,577 |
|---|---|
| University of Wi Hospitals & Clinics AuthorityMadison, WI | $38,843 |
| Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical CenterLa Crosse, WI | $33,064 |
| Aurora St Lukes Medical CenterMilwaukee, WI | $31,832 |
| Waukesha Memorial HospitalWaukesha, WI | $30,930 |
Spinal fusion except cervical without major complications in other states
Questions
How much does spinal fusion except cervical without major complications cost in Wisconsin?
In 2024 Medicare data, a hospital stay for spinal fusion except cervical without major complications (DRG 460) at 8 hospitals in Wisconsin was billed at $126,682 on average, while the average total payment was $32,992, of which Medicare paid $25,251. 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 Wisconsin, average charges were 3.8 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.