How many shoppable procedure prices are published for Merit Health Natchez?

Merit Health Natchez in Natchez, MS currently has 102 standardized procedure price records indexed from its public 45 CFR § 180 machine-readable file.

How do Merit Health Natchez's commercial prices compare to the fair BaseRate?

Across scored shoppable procedures, Merit Health Natchez's median negotiated commercial rate is 0.9× the regionally adjusted fair BaseRate benchmark.

What is Merit Health Natchez's CMS Care Compare overall star rating?

CMS Care Compare assigns Merit Health Natchez an overall hospital quality rating of 2 out of 5 stars based on public federal clinical and patient-experience measures.

Hospital Profile Acute Care Hospital Proprietary 131 Beds · rural Updated: 2026-04-01

Merit Health Natchez

52 Sergeant Prentiss Drive, Natchez, MS 39120 · 102 Priced Procedures · 50% Patient Recommendation

CMS Overall Rating 2 / 5 Stars

Good Deal · Below Fair Market

0.92×vs. Fair Market Price

Typical commercial prices here are 8% below the fair benchmark (0.92×) after accounting for local nurse/doctor wages and patient complexity.

91/100 · Verified

91/100Self-Pay Cash Beats Insurance 21% of the Time

File Completeness95

Price Logic99

Peer Alignment78

Clean Billing82

Real Cash Discount100

High-Markup Tier

2-Star CMS clinical quality rating paired with 0.92× fair market pricing.

Behavioral Pricing FingerprintLow Shoppable & Low Captive Rates

Uniform Value Leader · Low-Cost Across Departments

Merit Health Natchez maintains low, disciplined commercial pricing across both routine shoppable procedures (1.0× Medicare, p50 0.91× Fair BaseRate) and emergency/ancillary services (1.1× Medicare, p75 0.97× Fair BaseRate). Both insured and self-pay patients benefit from below-benchmark rates across departments.

#20 of 65 in MS · 29th State Percentile#788 of 3,385 in U.S. · 23rd National Percentile

Advantage

Where They're Good (Patient & Payer Edge)

Elective shoppable care is priced 8% below peer Fair BaseRate (0.92×)
Self-pay cash beats commercial insurance on 21% of shoppable procedures (99/100 Cash Honesty)
2-Star CMS clinical rating with 50% patient recommendation (49/100 safety score)
Binding Good Faith Estimate rights under 45 CFR § 149.610 protect self-pay patients before scheduling

Watchout

Where You Can Get Burned (Markup Traps)

Outpatient surgery & OR suites carry a 3.1× markup over Medicare rates
Captive ER (2.6×) & laboratory (3.7×) services average 1.10× higher multiples than routine shoppable care (1.0×)
Specialty infusion drugs (J-codes) average 2.4× Medicare — verify per-unit billing on itemized statements
Consolidated metro market (HHI 7,047) limits in-network hospital competition (Highly Concentrated Monopoly (>2,500))

Front-Door ShoppableElective / Imaging

1.0× Medicare

Pre-scheduled outpatient procedures where patients can comparison-shop.

Back-Door Captive & ER1.10× Divergence

1.1× Medicare

Emergency, inpatient DRG, lab, and specialty drug lines billed after admission.

Quantile Tail Spread+7% Upper Tail

Q25 0.84× · Q50 0.91× · Q75 0.97×

Detects median-gaming when upper-quartile codes spike above the p50 median.

Select any lens to inspect department markups, federal cost accounting, or insurer discounts.

Department & Integrity Multiples (vs. CMS Medicare Cost Anchor) Green ≤1.3× · Teal 1.3–1.8× · Amber 1.8–2.5× · Rose >2.5×

Front-Door Shoppable CareFront-Door Shoppable

1.0× MedicareGood

Outpatient Surgery & ORBack-Door Captive

3.1× MedicareFair

Diagnostic Imaging (CT/MRI)Front-Door Shoppable

3.8× MedicareElevated

Back-Door Captive ER VisitsBack-Door Captive

2.6× MedicareFair

Inpatient Lab & PathologyBack-Door Captive

3.7× MedicareElevated

Specialty & Infusion Drugs (J-Codes)Back-Door Captive

2.4× MedicareFair

Self-Pay Cash Honesty & 501(r)Integrity & Outcomes

21% Cash Edge · 99/100Good

CMS Clinical Safety & Star ValueIntegrity & Outcomes

2 CMS · 49/100Watchout

Procedure Prices at Merit Health Natchez

High-impact clinical procedures (MRIs, surgeries, inpatient stays, visits) are prioritized first. Use the category pills or search bar to filter all 102 published procedures.

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Audit a Bill & 501(r) Cap ↓

Procedure & Billing Code	Self-Pay Cash	This Hospital	Fair BaseRate	vs. Fair
Hip or knee replacement (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `470`	—	$18,417	$19,432	0.9×
Sepsis treatment (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `871`	—	$17,126	$19,087	0.9×
Heart stent placement (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `322`	—	$16,833	$17,936	0.9×
Total knee replacement CPT Code: `27447`	$26,442	$12,302	$13,523	0.9×
Total hip replacement CPT Code: `27130`	$17,269	$12,242	$13,413	0.9×
Digestive disorders treatment (inpatient stay) MS-DRG Code: `392`	—	$6,832	$8,223	0.8×
Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) CPT Code: `47562`	$12,502	$5,847	$6,109	1.0×
Breast lump removal CPT Code: `19120`	$6,493	$3,787	$3,875	1.0×
Trauma team activation HCPCS Code: `G0390`	$1,761	$3,579	$1,453	unverified
Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair CPT Code: `29881`	$9,472	$3,139	$3,372	0.9×
Colonoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `45380`	$4,601	$1,148	$1,256	0.9×
Colonoscopy (diagnostic) CPT Code: `45378`	$3,867	$892	$981	0.9×
Upper endoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `43239`	$5,443	$870	$987	0.9×
Sleep study (overnight, in lab) CPT Code: `95810`	$1,411	$829	$1,021	0.8×
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) CPT Code: `93306`	$2,672	$527	$583	0.9×
MRI, knee or other leg joint CPT Code: `73721`	$2,551	$493	$369	unverified
Blood transfusion CPT Code: `36430`	$1,157	$434	$498	0.9×
MRI, brain (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70553`	$3,660	$429	$511	0.8×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast) CPT Code: `74177`	$4,391	$375	$448	0.8×
Rabies immune globulin HCPCS Code: `90375`	$1,104	$292	$322	0.9×
MRI, brain (no contrast) CPT Code: `70551`	$1,798	$267	$343	0.8×
Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex) CPT Code: `93970`	$2,609	$234	$272	0.9×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (no contrast) CPT Code: `74176`	$3,962	$234	$303	0.8×
MRI, lower back (no contrast) CPT Code: `72148`	$1,708	$257	$338	0.8×
Hospital observation (per hour) HCPCS Code: `G0378`	$94	$201	$86	2.3×
CT scan, head (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70470`	$3,008	$209	$258	0.8×
Breathing treatment (nebulizer) CPT Code: `94640`	$230	$211	$201	unverified
CT scan, head (with contrast) CPT Code: `70460`	$2,738	$184	$242	0.8×
Hepatitis B immune globulin HCPCS Code: `90371`	$832	$148	$151	1.0×
CT scan, pelvis CPT Code: `72192`	$2,196	$137	$163	0.8×
CT scan, chest (no contrast) CPT Code: `71250`	$2,226	$137	$167	0.8×
CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine) CPT Code: `72131`	$2,292	$137	$168	0.8×
CT scan, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72125`	$2,282	$137	$169	0.8×
Ultrasound, abdomen (limited) CPT Code: `76705`	$1,198	$111	$126	0.9×
X-ray, shoulder CPT Code: `73030`	$470	$84	$92	0.9×
X-ray, lower back CPT Code: `72110`	$808	$100	$112	0.9×
Ultrasound, pelvis CPT Code: `76856`	$998	$109	$130	0.8×
Ultrasound, thyroid and neck CPT Code: `76536`	$970	$109	$132	0.8×
Ultrasound, abdomen (complete) CPT Code: `76700`	$1,833	$109	$134	0.8×
CT scan, head (no contrast) CPT Code: `70450`	$2,240	$124	$160	0.8×
CT scan, sinuses CPT Code: `70486`	$2,249	$124	$166	0.7×
X-ray, chest (single view) CPT Code: `71045`	$315	$83	$92	0.9×
X-ray, chest (two views) CPT Code: `71046`	$399	$83	$93	0.9×
X-ray, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72040`	$565	$83	$93	0.9×
X-ray, hip CPT Code: `73502`	$101	$83	$93	0.9×
X-ray, ankle CPT Code: `73610`	$517	$83	$93	0.9×
Diagnostic mammogram (both breasts) CPT Code: `77066`	$351	$108	$148	0.7×
X-ray, pelvis CPT Code: `72170`	$379	$100	$110	unverified
X-ray, hand CPT Code: `73130`	$550	$83	$93	unverified
X-ray, foot CPT Code: `73630`	$474	$83	$92	unverified
Typhoid vaccine HCPCS Code: `90675`	$1,119	$333	$347	1.0×
Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) HCPCS Code: `90715`	$261	$330	$56	unverified
MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) HCPCS Code: `90707`	$571	$290	$111	unverified
Pneumococcal vaccine HCPCS Code: `90732`	$722	$173	$140	1.2×
Diagnostic procedure preparation HCPCS Code: `G0279`	$34	$51	$35	1.5×
Hepatitis B vaccine HCPCS Code: `90744`	$206	$53	$37	1.4×
Blood antibody screen CPT Code: `86850`	$282	$50	$46	1.1×
Pneumonia vaccine injection HCPCS Code: `G0009`	$126	$47	$49	1.0×
Colorectal cancer screening HCPCS Code: `G0010`	$124	$47	$49	1.0×
Flu vaccine injection HCPCS Code: `G0008`	$126	$46	$48	1.0×
Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only) CPT Code: `93005`	$514	$58	$64	0.9×
Speech therapy (language evaluation) CPT Code: `92507`	$241	$73	$86	0.8×
Screening mammogram (both breasts) CPT Code: `77067`	$351	$78	$123	0.6×
Orthotic fitting and training CPT Code: `97760`	$90	$42	$51	0.8×
Blood test, comprehensive metabolic panel CPT Code: `80053`	$577	$11	$11	1.0×
Blood test, calcium CPT Code: `82310`	$97	$5	$5	1.0×
Blood test, creatinine (kidney) CPT Code: `82565`	$90	$5	$5	1.0×
Blood test, ferritin (iron stores) CPT Code: `82728`	$303	$14	$14	1.0×
Blood test, glucose (blood sugar) CPT Code: `82947`	$106	$4	$4	1.0×
Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c) CPT Code: `83036`	$158	$10	$10	1.0×
Blood test, vitamin D CPT Code: `82306`	$160	$30	$31	1.0×
Prostate cancer screening (blood test) HCPCS Code: `G0103`	$228	$19	$20	0.9×
Electrical stimulation therapy HCPCS Code: `G0283`	$104	$13	$14	0.9×
Occupational therapy (therapeutic activities) CPT Code: `97530`	$71	$33	$40	0.8×
Prosthetic fitting and training CPT Code: `97761`	$82	$37	$45	0.8×
Occupational therapy (self-care training) CPT Code: `97535`	$33	$34	$38	unverified
Urinalysis (automated, with microscopy) CPT Code: `81001`	$86	$3	$3	1.0×
Blood test, lipase CPT Code: `83690`	$272	$7	$7	1.0×
Blood test, magnesium CPT Code: `83735`	$147	$7	$7	1.0×
Blood test, potassium CPT Code: `84132`	$84	$5	$5	1.0×
Blood test, sodium CPT Code: `84295`	$165	$5	$5	1.0×
Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) CPT Code: `84520`	$56	$4	$4	1.0×
Blood test, complete blood count (CBC) CPT Code: `85025`	$200	$8	$8	1.0×
Blood test, clotting time (PTT) CPT Code: `85730`	$188	$6	$6	1.0×
Culture, bacterial CPT Code: `87070`	$332	$9	$9	1.0×
Flu vaccine (high dose) HCPCS Code: `90656`	$104	$25	$25	1.0×
Blood test, PSA (prostate screen) CPT Code: `84153`	$225	$18	$19	0.9×
Blood test, thyroid (TSH) CPT Code: `84443`	$173	$17	$18	0.9×
Blood test, vitamin B12 CPT Code: `82607`	$257	$15	$16	0.9×
Hepatitis C antibody test CPT Code: `86803`	$197	$14	$15	0.9×
Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) CPT Code: `80061`	$330	$13	$14	0.9×
Culture, blood CPT Code: `87040`	$337	$10	$11	0.9×
Blood test, basic metabolic panel CPT Code: `80048`	$365	$8	$9	0.9×
Blood test, liver function panel CPT Code: `80076`	$755	$8	$9	0.9×
Speech therapy (group session) CPT Code: `92508`	$12	$24	$27	0.9×
Blood test, amylase CPT Code: `82150`	$279	$6	$7	0.9×
Physical therapy (neuromuscular re-education) CPT Code: `97112`	$134	$31	$38	0.8×
Blood test, clotting time (PT/INR) CPT Code: `85610`	$164	$4	$5	0.8×
Physical therapy (therapeutic exercise) CPT Code: `97110`	$127	$28	$35	0.8×
Physical therapy (manual therapy) CPT Code: `97140`	$204	$27	$34	0.8×
Physical therapy (gait training) CPT Code: `97116`	$96	$28	$33	unverified
Blood test, hemoglobin CPT Code: `85018`	$58	$2	$3	0.7×

Showing top 25 high-impact procedures of 102 total

Inline Bill X-Ray & 501(r) Calculator For-Profit Facility · Cash & Fair BaseRate Audit

Audit a Bill or Quote at Merit Health Natchez (Zero PHI Required)

CMS CCN: 250084

CPT 470

Select Procedure to Audit:

Fair BaseRate™ $19,432

Medicare Rate $14,044

Self-Pay Cash Request Quote

Insurer Median $18,417

1. Amount on Your Bill or Quote ($) Pre-filled with Merit Health Natchez’s charged/list benchmark

2. Household Annual Income ($) Screened against 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines

3. Household Size (1–8) 2026 FPL: $15,650 + $5,500 per additional person

Step 1 · 501(r) Charity Care Check 274% of 2026 FPL

Above Standard 400% FPL Financial-Assistance Ceiling

At 274% FPL, you exceed the standard 400% FPL tier, though medical-hardship caps (when bills exceed 10% of annual income) may still apply.

Step 2 · Cash vs. Insurance Arbitrage Request Prompt-Pay Quote

Compare Prompt-Pay Cash Rate Against Remaining Deductible

Ask Merit Health Natchez's billing desk for their written 45 CFR § 180 discounted self-pay cash price and Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act.

Step 3 · Fair BaseRate Target +$24,769 Above Fair BaseRate

Negotiate Toward $19,432 Fair BaseRate ($14,044 Medicare)

Your bill ($44,201) is $24,769 above the denoised Fair BaseRate ($19,432) and 3.1× the $14,044 Medicare rate.

1-Click Factual Dispute Summary: Copy a citation-backed benchmark memo (with CMS CCN, CPT code, Medicare reference, Fair BaseRate, and 26 U.S.C. § 501(r) calculations) to paste into patient-portal messages or billing appeals.

IRS Form 990 Schedule H & 26 U.S.C. § 501(r) For-Profit / Non-501(c)(3)

Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) & Amounts Generally Billed (AGB)

EIN: 640833457

Public IRS & CMS ownership records classify Merit Health Natchez as a non-501(c)(3) facility. Federal 26 U.S.C. § 501(r) statutory charity-care caps apply specifically to tax-exempt nonprofit hospitals, though state hospital fair-pricing statutes and prompt-pay self-pay discounts may still apply.

Screen your household size, income, and itemized CPT codes against 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines: Calculate Your 501(r) Cap Above ↑

CMS Care Compare Public Quality Record

Clinical Quality, Patient Experience & Infection Benchmarks

CMS Overall2/5 Stars (2/5)

Safety Composite49/100

Would Recommend50%

Rated 9 or 10 (HCAHPS)55%

Median ER Wait182 min

Left ER Before Seen2%

30-Day Mortality vs U.S.worse

Unplanned Readmissionsame

Healthcare-Associated Infections (CDC NHSN / CMS HAI)

1.00 SIR = National Predicted Baseline (Lower Is Safer)

C. diff Hospital-Onset Infectionsame

CMS Price Transparency Administrative Enforcement Log

Factual public administrative actions published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding 45 CFR § 180 compliance at Merit Health Natchez. Prior administrative notices do not necessarily reflect current compliance status.

2025-04-17·administrative_or_closure
Met Requirements
Recorded

Source: CMS Hospital Care Compare (183 completed HCAHPS patient surveys). Clinical quality metrics summarize historical facility-wide cohorts and are not medical advice for individual care decisions.

Care-Setting Arbitrage, Bilateral SVD Insurer Leverage & Regional Alternatives

How to Pay Less Nearby: Freestanding Centers, Insurer Leverage & Outpatient Savings

Above-Benchmark Price Tier

2D regional comparison of commercial negotiated price index against CMS clinical quality composite for Merit Health Natchez.

Price Index: 1.40× regional baseline

Quality: 27/100 CMS composite

Notable Payer Contract Outliers (SVD Matrix Anomalies)

CareSource

-44.5%

Cigna

-43.6%

Trimed Billing Solutions

+69.8%

Median Household Income$40,250U.S. Census ACS

Local Uninsured Share11.6%Regional ACS estimate

200% FPL (1 Person)$31,920Common free-care ceiling

400% FPL (Family of 4)$128,600Common AGB cap ceiling

45 CFR § 180 Primary-Source Lineage & Federal Verification VeriRate 91/100 · Verified CMS CCN 250084 EIN 640833457

Verify the Raw Data: Official Hospital MRF, CMS Medicare.gov & Federal Filings

Download Official Hospital MRF ↗ Verify on CMS Medicare.gov (CCN 250084) ↗ Verify IRS Form 990 (EIN 640833457) ↗ CMS HCRIS Cost Reports ↗

Published MRF File640833457_merit-health-natchez_standardcharges.csv

Publication / Vintage2026-04-01 · 134.03 MB

Validated Rate Rows6,947 (CMS v3.0.0)

File Integrity Digesta79c2bd004dadc392805…

Safe-Harbor Data Corrections: Parsed directly from public 45 CFR § 180 hospital filings, CMS Care Compare, and CMS HCRIS cost reports. Hospital compliance officers may submit updated MRF URLs or rate tables for verification.

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