CMS Price Transparency Data

Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)

Facility: Ochsner University Hospital and Clinics

Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)

The BaseRate · fair price high confidence

A fair price for this

$24,600

about 1.0× the $23,504 Medicare rate · typically $18,066–$31,362

modeled estimate · not a bill or quote

What this hospital charges insurers

$32,167

Above the fair price

about $7,567 over the fair price · 1.4× Medicare

Medicare pays $23,504 Fair price $24,600 This hospital $32,167

How we calculate the fair BaseRate →

How this hospital compares to other LA hospitals

Highest price of the 9 LA hospitals we have prices for — worth calling around.

Cheapest $19,309 Priciest $32,167

Black dot = this hospital, among the 9 LA hospitals with a price for this procedure. Full list below.

A fair price for a Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) is about $24,600 (about 1.0× the $23,504 Medicare rate). Ochsner University Hospital and Clinics charges insurers about $32,167 — above the fair price. Located in Lafayette, LA.

This price is above the fair BaseRate — you may be able to pay less

Ask the hospital for the cash / self-pay price, check whether you qualify for financial assistance, or negotiate the bill down toward the fair price of about $24,600. Many patients pay well below the first number they’re quoted — the checklists below walk you through it.

What each insurance company pays

Which insurers have negotiated a price with this hospital for this procedure — and which haven’t.

4 of 6 major insurers have a published price at this hospital

✓ UnitedHealthcare✓ Blue Cross Blue Shield✓ Aetna✓ Cigna HumanaKaiser Permanente

Crossed out = this hospital hasn’t published a negotiated price for that insurer for this procedure. It doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t accepted — ask your insurer.

Insurance company	Price range	vs. Medicare
UnitedHealthcaremajor	$27,342 - $48,706	116%
Blue Cross Blue Shieldmajor	$22,096 - $32,167	94%
Aetnamajor	$32,167	137%
Cignamajor	$30,048	128%
WellCare	$33,775	144%
+ 4 smaller / regional plans	$28,089 - $33,132

Government programs also on file: Medicare.

Excludes 1 rental-network / third-party entry (e.g. Multiplan, PHCS) — these are pricing networks, not insurers.

Self-Pay How to get the cash price

Tell the billing desk you want to be billed as self-pay — not through insurance — before your visit.
Ask for the cash / prompt-pay discount in writing, with the exact price, before you agree to anything.
Get it in writing that they won’t also bill your insurance, so the cash price is what you owe.
Check the MS-DRG code on your bill matches exactly: 451.

Insurance Before you use insurance

Call your insurance company to confirm Ochsner University Hospital and Clinics is in-network.
Ask your insurer whether prior approval is required for MS-DRG code 451.
Confirm the doctor or provider is in-network too — not just the hospital building.
Check your Explanation of Benefits against the hospital’s final itemized bill.

Estimate your out-of-pocket cost

A rough estimate of what you’d pay with insurance (deductible + coinsurance) versus paying the cash price yourself.

How you’d pay

Deductible left to meet ($)

Your coinsurance (%)

Enter your details and press estimate to compare.

Other Procedures at Ochsner University Hospital and Clinics

Compare: Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) at other LA hospitals

St Tammany Parish Hospital · Covington $19,309
Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital · Lake Charles $19,851
Christus Ochsner St Patrick Hospital · Lake Charles $20,194
Winn Parish Medical Center · Winnfield $20,395
Claiborne Memorial Medical Center · Homer $20,517
Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital · Lafayette $20,717
Christus St Frances Cabrini Hospital · Alexandria $20,809
Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital · Hammond $20,930

Insurance negotiated median for the same procedure, sorted lowest first.