CMS Price Transparency Data

Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)

Facility: Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital

Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)

The BaseRate · fair price high confidence

A fair price for this

$28,230

about 1.2× the $23,504 Medicare rate · typically $23,323–$39,777

modeled estimate · not a bill or quote

What this hospital charges insurers

$43,702

Above the fair price

about $15,472 over the fair price · 1.9× Medicare

Medicare pays $23,504 Fair price $28,230 This hospital $43,702 Cash price $27,888 Hospital's list price $89,960

How we calculate the fair BaseRate →

How this hospital compares to other MN hospitals

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

Cheapest $12,333 Priciest $43,702

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

A fair price for a Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) is about $28,230 (about 1.2× the $23,504 Medicare rate). Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital charges insurers about $43,702, or about $27,888 in cash — above the fair price. Located in Saint Louis Park, MN.

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 $28,230. 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.

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

✓ UnitedHealthcare✓ Blue Cross Blue Shield AetnaCignaHumanaKaiser 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	$26,277 - $56,829	112%
Blue Cross Blue Shieldmajor	$24,790	105%
HealthPartners	$43,702	186%
Medica	$48,314	206%

Government programs also on file: Medicare, Medicaid.

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 (about 27,888), 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 Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital 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 Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital

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

Kittson Healthcare · Hallock $12,333
Winona Health Services · Winona $24,052
North Memorial Health Hospital · Robbinsdale $24,282
Alomere Health · Alexandria $24,329
Range Regional Health Services · Hibbing $24,692
Maple Grove Hospital · Maple Grove $25,074
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital · Burnsville $25,868
St Lukes Hospital · Duluth $25,872

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