Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in Iowa
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$117,330typical hospital bill
$25,693typical amount paid
$24,036–$34,955range paid across 8 hospitals
Iowa hospitals billed Medicare a typical $117,330 for this stay in 2024, about 4.6 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center | Ames | 35 | $85,497 | $24,036 | |
| Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids | 36 | $108,156 | $24,576 | |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center | Des Moines | 26 | $148,313 | $24,793 | |
| Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center | Dubuque | 16 | $84,319 | $25,363 | |
| Genesis Medical Center-Davenport | Davenport | 23 | $126,505 | $26,024 | |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi | Des Moines | 46 | $150,597 | $26,537 | |
| Mercyone North Iowa Medical Center | Mason City | 25 | $92,755 | $27,802 | |
| University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics | Iowa City | 94 | $144,189 | $34,955 |
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.