Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in Montana
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$103,528typical hospital bill
$30,963typical amount paid
$29,934–$32,838range paid across 4 hospitals
Montana hospitals billed Medicare a typical $103,528 for this stay in 2024, about 3.3 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Patrick Hospital | Missoula | 20 | $64,419 | $29,934 | |
| Benefis Hospitals Inc | Great Falls | 24 | $124,768 | $30,371 | |
| Billings Clinic Hospital | Billings | 54 | $82,288 | $31,554 | |
| Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital | Billings | 17 | $131,655 | $32,838 |
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.