Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)
- CPT Billing Code: 451
- Insurance Median: $14,274
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.61x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medica | $10,731 | 46% |
| Aetna | $12,420 - $18,538 | 53% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $21,783 - $22,150 | 93% |
| Humana | $25,665 | 109% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Spinal fusion, single level procedure at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the negotiated rates vary significantly by insurance carrier, ranging from $10,731 with Medica up to $25,665 with Humana. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $14,274, which is notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $23,503.93, suggesting that commercial contracts are currently priced below the federal baseline for this service. While the facility is a Part A hospital provider, patients should be aware that cash-pay options are not listed in the available data; however, if cash rates were available, they could potentially be lower than the insurance negotiated amounts, especially for those with high-deductible plans where out-of-pocket costs might otherwise exceed the cash price.
To secure the most favorable payment, patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling their visit, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. It is also important to verify that the facility is in-network for your specific plan, as being in-network guarantees a rate cap but does not necessarily mean it is the lowest possible price, as different insurers negotiate different ceilings. Finally, if you receive a bill, always demand a full itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.