Spinal fusion (lower or mid back) in Washington
MS-DRG 460: Spinal fusion except cervical without mcc
$157,130typical hospital bill
$37,409typical amount paid
$31,549–$50,486range paid across 9 hospitals
Washington hospitals billed Medicare a typical $157,130 for this stay in 2024, about 4.2 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prov Sacred Hrt Med Ctr & Childs Hosp. | Spokane | 17 | $121,318 | $31,549 | |
| Capital Medical Center | Olympia | 18 | $172,986 | $34,172 | |
| Providence St Peter Hospital | Olympia | 24 | $175,725 | $36,579 | |
| Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center | Bellingham | 13 | $148,511 | $37,316 | |
| Swedish Medical Center / Cherry Hill | Seattle | 20 | $205,159 | $37,409 | |
| University of Washington Medical Ctr | Seattle | 19 | $157,130 | $39,520 | |
| Virginia Mason Medical Center | Seattle | 41 | $133,604 | $39,611 | |
| Providence Regional Medical Center Everett | Everett | 13 | $143,490 | $44,549 | |
| Harborview Medical Center | Seattle | 39 | $212,103 | $50,486 |
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.