Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in Arkansas
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$113,274typical hospital bill
$24,230typical amount paid
$22,647–$32,105range paid across 8 hospitals
Arkansas hospitals billed Medicare a typical $113,274 for this stay in 2024, about 4.7 times what was actually paid. Medicare's payment depends mostly on the hospital's location and teaching role; the bill depends on the hospital's own price list, so bills vary far more than payments.
Billed (list price)Actually paid (Medicare + patient)
| Hospital | City | Medicare stays | Billed | Paid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Surgical Hospital | No Little Rock | 20 | $49,380 | $22,647 | |
| Baxter Health | Mountain Home | 16 | $59,402 | $23,327 | |
| Washington Regional Medical Center | Fayetteville | 14 | $119,211 | $23,689 | |
| Northwest Medical Center-Springdale | Springdale | 16 | $244,249 | $24,140 | |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith | Fort Smith | 13 | $110,784 | $24,319 | |
| St Vincent Medical Center/North | Sherwood | 19 | $151,083 | $24,599 | |
| Chi-St Vincent Infirmary | Little Rock | 13 | $115,765 | $27,866 | |
| University of Arkansas Medical Sciences | Little Rock | 25 | $82,427 | $32,105 |
Medicare: CMS, 2024 (hospitals with 11 or more Medicare stays). Cash and insurer prices: hospitals' own price files, where read; insurer figures are commercial plans only, median and 10th–90th percentile across plans.