How many shoppable procedure prices are published for French Hospital Medical Center?

French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, CA currently has 95 standardized procedure price records indexed from its public 45 CFR § 180 machine-readable file.

How do French Hospital Medical Center's commercial prices compare to the fair BaseRate?

Across scored shoppable procedures, French Hospital Medical Center's median negotiated commercial rate is 1.5× the regionally adjusted fair BaseRate benchmark.

What is French Hospital Medical Center's CMS Care Compare overall star rating?

CMS Care Compare assigns French Hospital Medical Center an overall hospital quality rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on public federal clinical and patient-experience measures.

Hospital Profile Acute Care Hospital Voluntary non-profit - Private 98 Beds · urban Updated: 2026-02-28

French Hospital Medical Center

1911 Johnson Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 · 95 Priced Procedures · 78% Patient Recommendation

CMS Overall Rating 5 / 5 Stars

High Markup · Shop Alternatives

1.54×vs. Fair Market Price

Typical commercial prices here are +54% above the fair benchmark (1.54×) even after accounting for local nurse/doctor wages and patient complexity.

69/100 · Caution

69/100Self-Pay Cash Beats Insurance 69% of the Time

File Completeness56

Price Logic53

Peer Alignment59

Clean Billing90

Real Cash Discount100

High-Markup · Check Safety

3-Star CMS clinical quality rating paired with 1.54× fair market pricing.

Behavioral Pricing FingerprintUpper-Quartile Spread · +59% Tail Jump

Wide Procedure Spread · Upper-Quartile Skew Pricer

French Hospital Medical Center prices routine shoppable procedures at 2.3× Medicare (median 1.31× Fair BaseRate) while upper-quartile commercial rates jump +59% to 2.08× Fair BaseRate. Self-pay cash discounts and comparing specific CPT procedure codes before scheduling yield the strongest savings.

#202 of 240 in CA · 83rd State Percentile#2,688 of 3,385 in U.S. · 79th National Percentile

Advantage

Where They're Good (Patient & Payer Edge)

Bottom-quartile procedures (Q25) price at 1.13× the peer BaseRate benchmark
Self-pay cash beats commercial insurance on 69% of shoppable procedures (99/100 Cash Honesty)
5-Star CMS clinical rating with 78% patient recommendation (70/100 safety score)
IRS 501(c)(3) charity care provides free care up to 200% FPL and discounted care up to 400% FPL (35.7% AGB cap)

Watchout

Where You Can Get Burned (Markup Traps)

Outpatient surgery & OR suites carry a 2.9× markup over Medicare rates
Commercial insurance median sits at 1.31× Fair BaseRate (2.3× Medicare), so insured patients should always compare the self-pay cash price before paying.
Upper-quartile procedures (Q75 2.08×) jump +59% above the median procedure ratio (Q50 1.31×)
Consolidated metro market (HHI 3,362) limits in-network hospital competition (Highly Concentrated Monopoly (>2,500))

Front-Door ShoppableElective / Imaging

2.3× Medicare

Pre-scheduled outpatient procedures where patients can comparison-shop.

Back-Door Captive & ER0.57× Divergence

1.3× Medicare

Emergency, inpatient DRG, lab, and specialty drug lines billed after admission.

Quantile Tail Spread+59% Upper Tail

Q25 1.13× · Q50 1.31× · Q75 2.08×

Detects median-gaming when upper-quartile codes spike above the p50 median.

Select any lens to inspect department markups, federal cost accounting, or insurer discounts.

Department & Integrity Multiples (vs. CMS Medicare Cost Anchor) Green ≤1.3× · Teal 1.3–1.8× · Amber 1.8–2.5× · Rose >2.5×

Front-Door Shoppable CareFront-Door Shoppable

2.3× MedicareFair

Outpatient Surgery & ORBack-Door Captive

2.9× MedicareFair

Diagnostic Imaging (CT/MRI)Front-Door Shoppable

2.0× MedicareGood

Back-Door Captive ER VisitsBack-Door Captive

3.7× MedicareElevated

Inpatient Lab & PathologyBack-Door Captive

1.9× MedicareGood

Specialty & Infusion Drugs (J-Codes)Back-Door Captive

4.0× MedicareElevated

Self-Pay Cash Honesty & 501(r)Integrity & Outcomes

69% Cash Edge · 99/100Good

CMS Clinical Safety & Star ValueIntegrity & Outcomes

5 CMS · 70/100Fair

Procedure Prices at French Hospital Medical Center

High-impact clinical procedures (MRIs, surgeries, inpatient stays, visits) are prioritized first. Use the category pills or search bar to filter all 95 published procedures.

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Audit a Bill & 501(r) Cap ↓

Procedure & Billing Code	Self-Pay Cash	This Hospital	Fair BaseRate	vs. Fair
Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `451`	—	$28,890	$30,775	0.9×
Sepsis treatment (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `871`	—	$18,440	$19,087	1.0×
Hip or knee replacement (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `470`	—	$17,727	$19,432	0.9×
Heart stent placement (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `322`	—	$17,018	$17,936	0.9×
Digestive disorders treatment (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `392`	—	$7,451	$8,223	0.9×
Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) CPT Code: `47562`	—	$7,413	$6,109	1.2×
Total hip replacement CPT Code: `27130`	—	$7,087	$13,413	0.5×
Total knee replacement CPT Code: `27447`	—	$7,087	$13,523	0.5×
Trauma team activation HCPCS Code: `G0390`	$5,287	$5,287	$1,453	unverified
Breast lump removal CPT Code: `19120`	—	$4,865	$3,875	1.3×
Inguinal hernia repair CPT Code: `49505`	—	$4,484	$3,629	1.2×
Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair CPT Code: `29881`	—	$4,123	$3,372	1.2×
Bunion correction surgery CPT Code: `28296`	—	$4,123	$3,446	1.2×
Rabies immune globulin HCPCS Code: `90375`	$3,341	$3,341	$322	unverified
Blood transfusion CPT Code: `36430`	$1,518	$3,136	$498	unverified
Cataract surgery with lens implant CPT Code: `66984`	—	$2,898	$2,540	1.1×
Vaginal delivery (full package) CPT Code: `59400`	—	$1,994	$2,680	0.7×
C-section delivery (full package) CPT Code: `59510`	—	$1,995	$2,975	0.7×
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) CPT Code: `93306`	$1,402	$1,966	$583	unverified
Injection procedure for pain management HCPCS Code: `G0260`	$971	$1,777	$855	2.1×
Colonoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `45380`	—	$1,498	$1,256	1.2×
Sleep study (overnight, in lab) CPT Code: `95810`	$2,506	$1,293	$1,021	1.3×
Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex) CPT Code: `93970`	$615	$1,263	$272	4.6×
Upper endoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `43239`	—	$1,191	$987	1.2×
Colonoscopy (diagnostic) CPT Code: `45378`	—	$1,158	$981	1.2×
MRI, brain (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70553`	$731	$994	$511	1.9×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast) CPT Code: `74177`	$522	$825	$448	1.8×
Hepatitis B immune globulin HCPCS Code: `90371`	$726	$726	$151	4.8×
CT scan, head (with contrast) CPT Code: `70460`	$485	$632	$242	2.6×
CT scan, head (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70470`	$485	$632	$258	2.4×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (no contrast) CPT Code: `74176`	$452	$577	$303	1.9×
MRI, lower back (no contrast) CPT Code: `72148`	$424	$549	$338	1.6×
Ultrasound, abdomen (limited) CPT Code: `76705`	$461	$485	$126	3.8×
Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only) CPT Code: `93005`	$412	$412	$64	6.4×
X-ray, chest (two views) CPT Code: `71046`	$316	$432	$93	4.6×
Screening mammogram (both breasts) CPT Code: `77067`	$204	$414	$123	3.4×
MRI, brain (no contrast) CPT Code: `70551`	$1,860	$413	$343	1.2×
Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) CPT Code: `99214`	$187	$347	$123	2.8×
Ultrasound, pelvis CPT Code: `76856`	$227	$358	$130	2.8×
Ultrasound, abdomen (complete) CPT Code: `76700`	$210	$302	$134	2.3×
CT scan, sinuses CPT Code: `70486`	$247	$320	$166	1.9×
CT scan, chest (no contrast) CPT Code: `71250`	$252	$315	$167	1.9×
Hospital observation (per hour) HCPCS Code: `G0378`	$168	$282	$86	3.3×
CT scan, pelvis CPT Code: `72192`	$237	$305	$163	1.9×
Ultrasound, thyroid and neck CPT Code: `76536`	$190	$275	$132	2.1×
CT scan, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72125`	$213	$280	$169	1.7×
CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine) CPT Code: `72131`	$210	$276	$168	1.6×
Breathing treatment (nebulizer) CPT Code: `94640`	$138	$263	$201	1.3×
Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) CPT Code: `99213`	$143	$236	$87	2.7×
X-ray, pelvis CPT Code: `72170`	$191	$245	$110	2.2×
X-ray, lower back CPT Code: `72110`	$183	$245	$112	2.2×
CT scan, head (no contrast) CPT Code: `70450`	$202	$260	$160	1.6×
New patient office visit (30-44 min) CPT Code: `99203`	$137	$234	$110	2.1×
Diagnostic mammogram (both breasts) CPT Code: `77066`	$97	$210	$148	1.4×
X-ray, chest (single view) CPT Code: `71045`	$127	$179	$92	1.9×
X-ray, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72040`	$102	$162	$93	1.7×
Diagnostic procedure preparation HCPCS Code: `G0279`	$68	$115	$35	3.3×
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine HCPCS Code: `90716`	$820	$466	$203	2.3×
Typhoid vaccine HCPCS Code: `90675`	$1,783	$447	$347	1.3×
MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) HCPCS Code: `90707`	$368	$275	$111	2.5×
Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) HCPCS Code: `90715`	$209	$165	$56	2.9×
Pneumococcal vaccine HCPCS Code: `90732`	$551	$141	$140	1.0×
DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) HCPCS Code: `90700`	$125	$111	$39	2.8×
Culture, bacterial CPT Code: `87070`	$64	$64	$9	7.1×
Blood antibody screen CPT Code: `86850`	$40	$52	$46	1.1×
Hepatitis B vaccine HCPCS Code: `90744`	$123	$36	$37	1.0×
Blood test, hemoglobin CPT Code: `85018`	$8	$6	$3	2.0×
Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) CPT Code: `84520`	$5	$7	$4	1.8×
Blood test, clotting time (PTT) CPT Code: `85730`	$12	$10	$6	1.7×
Blood test, creatinine (kidney) CPT Code: `82565`	$5	$8	$5	1.6×
Blood test, potassium CPT Code: `84132`	$13	$7	$5	1.4×
Blood test, sodium CPT Code: `84295`	$15	$7	$5	1.4×
Urinalysis (automated, with microscopy) CPT Code: `81001`	$83	$4	$3	1.3×
Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) CPT Code: `80061`	$19	$18	$14	1.3×
Blood test, lipase CPT Code: `83690`	$14	$9	$7	1.3×
Culture, blood CPT Code: `87040`	$138	$14	$11	1.3×
Blood test, complete blood count (CBC) CPT Code: `85025`	$79	$10	$8	1.3×
Blood test, basic metabolic panel CPT Code: `80048`	$133	$11	$9	1.2×
Blood test, liver function panel CPT Code: `80076`	$146	$11	$9	1.2×
Blood test, calcium CPT Code: `82310`	$5	$6	$5	1.2×
Blood test, clotting time (PT/INR) CPT Code: `85610`	$6	$6	$5	1.2×
Blood test, thyroid (TSH) CPT Code: `84443`	$26	$21	$18	1.2×
Blood test, amylase CPT Code: `82150`	$4	$8	$7	1.1×
Blood test, magnesium CPT Code: `83735`	$5	$8	$7	1.1×
Flu vaccine (high dose) HCPCS Code: `90656`	$93	$27	$25	1.1×
Blood test, comprehensive metabolic panel CPT Code: `80053`	$8	$11	$11	1.0×
Blood test, ferritin (iron stores) CPT Code: `82728`	$12	$14	$14	1.0×
Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c) CPT Code: `83036`	$7	$10	$10	1.0×
Prostate cancer screening (blood test) HCPCS Code: `G0103`	$14	$19	$20	0.9×
Blood test, vitamin B12 CPT Code: `82607`	$10	$15	$16	0.9×
Hepatitis C antibody test CPT Code: `86803`	$11	$14	$15	0.9×
Blood test, PSA (prostate screen) CPT Code: `84153`	$14	$17	$19	0.9×
Blood test, vitamin D CPT Code: `82306`	$19	$20	$31	0.6×
Drug screening test HCPCS Code: `G0480`	$24	$24	$116	0.2×
Blood test, glucose (blood sugar) CPT Code: `82947`	$16	$16	$4	unverified

Showing top 25 high-impact procedures of 95 total

Inline Bill X-Ray & 501(r) Calculator 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Free Care ≤200% FPL · AGB Cap 35.7%

Audit a Bill or Quote at French Hospital Medical Center (Zero PHI Required)

CMS CCN: 050232

CPT 451

Select Procedure to Audit:

Fair BaseRate™ $30,775

Medicare Rate $23,504

Self-Pay Cash Request Quote

Insurer Median $28,890

1. Amount on Your Bill or Quote ($) Pre-filled with French Hospital Medical Center’s charged/list benchmark

2. Household Annual Income ($) Screened against 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines

3. Household Size (1–8) 2026 FPL: $15,650 + $5,500 per additional person

Step 1 · 501(r) Charity Care Check 501(r) AGB Cap: $24,774 (274% FPL)

Statutory 501(r) AGB Cap Limits Bill to $24,774

At 274% FPL (201%–400% FPL tier), 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5) caps FAP-eligible bills at Amounts Generally Billed (35.7% of gross = $24,774).

Step 2 · Cash vs. Insurance Arbitrage Request Prompt-Pay Quote

Compare Prompt-Pay Cash Rate Against Remaining Deductible

Ask French Hospital Medical Center's billing desk for their written 45 CFR § 180 discounted self-pay cash price and Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act.

Step 3 · Fair BaseRate Target +$38,561 Above Fair BaseRate

Negotiate Toward $30,775 Fair BaseRate ($23,504 Medicare)

Your bill ($69,336) is $38,561 above the denoised Fair BaseRate ($30,775) and 2.9× the $23,504 Medicare rate.

1-Click Factual Dispute Summary: Copy a citation-backed benchmark memo (with CMS CCN, CPT code, Medicare reference, Fair BaseRate, and 26 U.S.C. § 501(r) calculations) to paste into patient-portal messages or billing appeals.

IRS Form 990 Schedule H & 26 U.S.C. § 501(r) 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Hospital

Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) & Amounts Generally Billed (AGB)

Free Care Eligibility BenchmarkUp to 200% FPL100% charity write-off income threshold

Discounted Care EligibilityUp to 400% FPLSliding-scale & AGB billing cap tier

Charity Care Share of ExpensesSee Schedule HNet community financial assistance reported

26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5) AGB Benchmark Method: lookback_commercial_median

Hospital-Specific CMS HCRIS Benchmark (35.7% of gross charges)

Under 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5), a tax-exempt hospital organization may not bill FAP-eligible patients more than Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to individuals with insurance covering emergency or medically necessary care. Derived from this facility’s reported CMS HCRIS cost-to-charge & insurer allowance filings. Verify your exact Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) determination directly with the billing office.

Screen your household size, income, and itemized CPT codes against 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines: Calculate Your 501(r) Cap Above ↑

CMS Care Compare Public Quality Record

Clinical Quality, Patient Experience & Infection Benchmarks

CMS Overall3/5 Stars (3/5)

Safety Composite70/100

Would Recommend78%

Rated 9 or 10 (HCAHPS)71%

Median ER Wait167 min

Left ER Before Seen1%

30-Day Mortality vs U.S.same

Unplanned Readmissionbetter

Hip/Knee Complication Rate2.9%

Healthcare-Associated Infections (CDC NHSN / CMS HAI)

1.00 SIR = National Predicted Baseline (Lower Is Safer)

Central-Line Bloodstream Infectionsame

C. diff Hospital-Onset Infectionbetter

CMS Price Transparency Administrative Enforcement Log

Factual public administrative actions published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding 45 CFR § 180 compliance at French Hospital Medical Center. Prior administrative notices do not necessarily reflect current compliance status.

2025-06-09·administrative_or_closure
Met Requirements
Recorded
2022-12-29·administrative_or_closure
Met Requirements
Recorded

Source: CMS Hospital Care Compare (728 completed HCAHPS patient surveys). Clinical quality metrics summarize historical facility-wide cohorts and are not medical advice for individual care decisions.

Care-Setting Arbitrage, Bilateral SVD Insurer Leverage & Regional Alternatives

How to Pay Less Nearby: Freestanding Centers, Insurer Leverage & Outpatient Savings

Regional Value & Quality Leader Pareto Frontier (Price + Quality)

2D regional comparison of commercial negotiated price index against CMS clinical quality composite for French Hospital Medical Center.

Price Index: 0.62× regional baseline

Quality: 69/100 CMS composite

Median Household Income$93,398U.S. Census ACS

Local Uninsured Share5.8%Regional ACS estimate

200% FPL (1 Person)$31,920Common free-care ceiling

400% FPL (Family of 4)$128,600Common AGB cap ceiling

45 CFR § 180 Primary-Source Lineage & Federal Verification VeriRate 69/100 · Caution CMS CCN 050232

Verify the Raw Data: Official Hospital MRF, CMS Medicare.gov & Federal Filings

MRF Portal Indexed (CMS_45_CFR_180_FILING.json) Verify on CMS Medicare.gov (CCN 050232) ↗ CMS HCRIS Cost Reports ↗

Published MRF FileCMS_45_CFR_180_FILING.json

Publication / Vintage2026-02-28

Validated Rate Rows5,081 (CMS v3.0.0)

File Integrity DigestVerified · CCN 050232

Safe-Harbor Data Corrections: Parsed directly from public 45 CFR § 180 hospital filings, CMS Care Compare, and CMS HCRIS cost reports. Hospital compliance officers may submit updated MRF URLs or rate tables for verification.

Submit MRF Update Correction Policy