Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)
Facility: Select Specialty Hospital - Wichita
Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)
- CPT Billing Code: 451
- Insurance Median: $1,700
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.07x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $23,503.93 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| No commercial in-network negotiated rate details found for this procedure. | ||
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Spinal fusion, single level procedure at Select Specialty Hospital - Wichita, the median negotiated rate is $1,700.00, which is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $23,503.93. While this facility is a Part A Provider in Wichita, KS, the data indicates no specific cash or median paid amounts were reported for this service. In cases where a patient has a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price directly can sometimes be more affordable than the insurance negotiated rate if the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash price. However, since cash and paid rates are not available in this dataset, patients should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which often range from 20% to 50% off the billed amount for upfront payment.
Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, though unexpected ancillary charges from out-of-network physicians or labs can still occur. If a patient receives an itemized bill that appears inflated, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. It is crucial to dispute any balance billing in writing rather than accepting summary bills or verbal assurances, and to verify that the facility has adhered to state and county pricing standards before finalizing payment.