Breathing problem needing a ventilator (up to 4 days) in Colorado
MS-DRG 208: Respiratory system diagnosis with ventilator support <=96 hours
$177,254typical hospital bill
$25,475typical amount paid
$20,001–$28,488range paid across 5 hospitals
Colorado hospitals billed Medicare a typical $177,254 for this stay in 2024, about 7.0 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uch-Memorial Health System | Colorado Springs | 39 | $132,865 | $20,001 | |
| Centura Health-Penrose St Francis Health Services | Colorado Springs | 21 | $177,254 | $24,848 | |
| Centura Health-St Anthony Hospital | Lakewood | 17 | $150,448 | $25,475 | |
| HCA-Healthone Dba Swedish Medical Center | Englewood | 20 | $396,983 | $25,613 | |
| University of Colorado Hospital Authority | Aurora | 26 | $209,570 | $28,488 |
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.