CMS Price Transparency Data

Occupational therapy (self-care training)

Facility: Medstar Harbor Hospital

Billing Code: 97535 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 97535
  • Insurance Median: $156
  • Cash Discount Price: $153
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.81x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Occupational therapy (self-care training) at Medstar Harbor Hospital is $156. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $153. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $32.4, this hospital’s rate is 4.81x the Medicare baseline. Located in 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD.
Cash / Self-Pay
$153

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$156

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$32.4

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $32.4 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $153 (472%)
Insurance Median: $156 (481%)
Cash: $153 (472% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $156 (481% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $32.4 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.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 481% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 381%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Aetna $119 - $193 367%
Amerigroup $119 - $193 367%
Amerihealth Caritas District Of Columbia $119 - $193 367%
Carefirst Advantage Inc $119 - $193 367%
Carefirst Blue Choice Inc $119 - $193 367%
Cigna $119 - $193 367%
First Health $119 - $193 367%
Hscsn $119 - $193 367%
Humana $119 - $193 367%
Kaiser Permanente $119 - $193 367%
Magellan Behavioral Health Inc $119 - $193 367%
Mamsi $119 - $193 367%
Medstar Family Choice $119 - $193 367%
Medstar Family Choice Inc $119 - $193 367%
Ncppo Healthlink Ppo $119 - $193 367%
Pfc $119 - $193 367%
Private Healthcare Systems (Phcs) $119 - $193 367%
Tricare $119 - $193 367%
United Behavioral Health Inc $119 - $193 367%
UnitedHealthcare $119 - $193 367%

Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary

For patients paying cash directly, the most important factor to know is that the cash median rate for this service is $153. While commercial insurance plans typically negotiate higher rates, cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective for individuals with high-deductible plans, as the negotiated rate of $193 is significantly higher than the self-pay price. Patients should proactively ask the hospital for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can bypass administrative fees and reduce the final bill.

The context of this pricing reveals that the cash rate of $153 is lower than the facility's gross charge of $156, yet it remains substantially higher than the Medicare benchmark of $32.40, which serves as a federal cost baseline for this procedure. Although the facility is a Voluntary non-profit hospital with a 4-star rating and serves 20 payers, the negotiated rates across all listed insurance plans, including UnitedHealthcare and Kaiser Permanente, consistently sit at $193. This demonstrates that for this specific code, the commercial negotiated rate is nearly six times the Medicare amount, highlighting the significant markup often found in commercial contracts compared to federal reimbursement standards.

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225
  • CMS Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals