CMS Price Transparency Data

Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)

Facility: Atrium Health Lincoln

Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)

The BaseRate · fair price high confidence

A fair price for this

$34,407

about 1.5× the $23,504 Medicare rate · typically $16,252–$45,343

modeled estimate · not a bill or quote

What this hospital charges insurers

$45,171

Above the fair price

about $10,764 over the fair price · 1.9× Medicare

Medicare pays $23,504 Fair price $34,407 This hospital $45,171

How we calculate the fair BaseRate →

How this hospital compares to other NC hospitals

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

Cheapest $20,910 Priciest $45,171

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

A fair price for a Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) is about $34,407 (about 1.5× the $23,504 Medicare rate). Atrium Health Lincoln charges insurers about $45,171 — above the fair price. Located in Lincolnton, NC.

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 $34,407. 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✓ Aetna✓ Cigna✓ Humana Blue Cross Blue ShieldKaiser 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	$30,175 - $42,578	128%
Aetnamajor	$29,656	126%
Cignamajor	$30,086	128%
Humanamajor	$29,226	124%
AmeriHealth	$45,623	194%
WellCare	$45,269	193%
+ 6 smaller / regional plans	$43,898 - $46,526

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 Atrium Health Lincoln 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 Atrium Health Lincoln

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

Haywood Regional Medical Center · Clyde $20,910
Frye Regional Medical Center · Hickory $20,986
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center · Elizabeth City $22,776
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital · Elkin $24,306
Ecu Health North Hospital · Roanoke Rapids $24,941
Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital · Ahoskie $25,525
Vidant Edgecombe Hospital · Tarboro $26,687
The McDowell Hospital · Marion $26,838

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