Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in North Carolina
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$144,403typical hospital bill
$27,248typical amount paid
$24,274–$42,676range paid across 22 hospitals
North Carolina hospitals billed Medicare a typical $144,403 for this stay in 2024, about 5.3 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)
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.