Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in Kentucky
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$247,441typical hospital bill
$33,048typical amount paid
$23,473–$53,163range paid across 6 hospitals
Kentucky hospitals billed Medicare a typical $247,441 for this stay in 2024, about 7.5 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph Hospital | Lexington | 18 | $80,623 | $23,473 | |
| Baptist Health Paducah | Paducah | 23 | $284,894 | $28,883 | |
| Norton Hospitals, Inc | Louisville | 69 | $241,309 | $31,459 | |
| Baptist Health Louisville | Louisville | 22 | $330,238 | $34,637 | |
| University of Kentucky Hospital | Lexington | 17 | $171,270 | $35,234 | |
| Uofl Health - Jewish Hospital and Mary & Elizabeth Hospital | Louisville | 14 | $253,574 | $53,163 |
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.