How many shoppable procedure prices are published for Niobrara Valley Hospital?

Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch, NE currently has 90 standardized procedure price records indexed from its public 45 CFR § 180 machine-readable file.

How do Niobrara Valley Hospital's commercial prices compare to the fair BaseRate?

Across scored shoppable procedures, Niobrara Valley Hospital's median negotiated commercial rate is 3.0× the regionally adjusted fair BaseRate benchmark.

Hospital Profile Critical Access Hospital Voluntary non-profit - Private 15 Beds · rural Updated: 3/27/2026

Niobrara Valley Hospital

P O Box 118, 401 South 5Th Street, Lynch, NE 68746 · 90 Priced Procedures

CMS Overall Rating No CMS Rating

High Markup · Shop Alternatives

2.97×vs. Fair Market Price

Typical commercial prices here are +197% above the fair benchmark (2.97×) even after accounting for local nurse/doctor wages and patient complexity.

51/100 · Caution

51/100Self-Pay Cash Beats Insurance 0% of the Time

File Completeness66

Price Logic48

Peer Alignment73

Clean Billing57

Real Cash Discount10

High-Markup · Check Safety

Balances commercial hospital prices against CMS clinical safety, infection control, and patient experience.

Behavioral Pricing FingerprintMedian-Gamed · High Captive Markup

Loss-Leader / Captive Ancillary Cross-Subsidizer

Niobrara Valley Hospital prices routine shoppable procedures near 4.9× Medicare (p50 2.65×) while skewing captive emergency, lab, and upper-quartile codes to 9.1× Medicare (p75 3.94×, +49% upper-tail jump). Patients scheduling elective outpatient care can capture competitive rates, but emergency and ancillary bills require strict line-item auditing.

#57 of 60 in NE · 93rd State Percentile#3,330 of 3,385 in U.S. · 98th National Percentile

Advantage

Where They're Good (Patient & Payer Edge)

Bottom-quartile procedures (Q25) price at 1.97× the peer BaseRate benchmark
Self-pay cash beats commercial insurance on 0% of shoppable procedures (25/100 Cash Honesty)
CMS clinical safety score (85/100 safety score) with 72% patient recommendation
IRS 501(c)(3) charity care provides free care up to 200% FPL and discounted care up to 400% FPL (50.7% AGB cap)

Watchout

Where You Can Get Burned (Markup Traps)

Outpatient surgery & OR suites carry a 1.4× markup over Medicare rates
Captive ER (7.1×) & laboratory (7.2×) services average 1.86× higher multiples than routine shoppable care (4.9×)
Upper-quartile procedures (Q75 3.94×) jump +49% above the median procedure ratio (Q50 2.65×)
Unnegotiated chargemaster list prices average 13.9× Medicare (19¢ true HCRIS cost per $1 gross)

Front-Door ShoppableElective / Imaging

4.9× Medicare

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

Back-Door Captive & ER1.86× Divergence

9.1× Medicare

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

Quantile Tail Spread+49% Upper Tail

Q25 1.97× · Q50 2.65× · Q75 3.94×

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

4.9× MedicareWatchout

Outpatient Surgery & ORBack-Door Captive

1.4× MedicareGood

Diagnostic Imaging (CT/MRI)Front-Door Shoppable

5.3× MedicareWatchout

Back-Door Captive ER VisitsBack-Door Captive

7.1× MedicareWatchout

Inpatient Lab & PathologyBack-Door Captive

7.2× MedicareWatchout

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

5.6× MedicareWatchout

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

0% Cash Edge · 25/100Watchout

CMS Clinical Safety & Star ValueIntegrity & Outcomes

3 CMS · 85/100Good

Procedure Prices at Niobrara Valley Hospital

High-impact clinical procedures (MRIs, surgeries, inpatient stays, visits) are prioritized first. Use the category pills or search bar to filter all 90 published procedures.

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Audit a Bill & 501(r) Cap ↓

Procedure & Billing Code	Self-Pay Cash	This Hospital	Fair BaseRate	vs. Fair
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast) CPT Code: `74177`	$6,274	$6,274	$448	14.0×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (no contrast) CPT Code: `74176`	$5,277	$5,277	$303	17.4×
MRI, brain (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70553`	$5,140	$5,140	$511	10.1×
CT scan, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72125`	$3,623	$3,623	$169	21.4×
MRI, brain (no contrast) CPT Code: `70551`	$3,591	$3,591	$343	10.5×
CT scan, pelvis CPT Code: `72192`	$3,518	$3,518	$163	21.6×
Upper endoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `43239`	$3,297	$3,297	$987	3.3×
Colonoscopy with biopsy CPT Code: `45380`	$2,902	$2,902	$1,256	2.3×
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) CPT Code: `93306`	$2,819	$2,819	$583	4.8×
CT scan, chest (no contrast) CPT Code: `71250`	$2,599	$2,599	$167	15.6×
CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine) CPT Code: `72131`	$2,562	$2,562	$168	15.3×
Colonoscopy (diagnostic) CPT Code: `45378`	$2,416	$2,416	$981	2.5×
CT scan, head (with contrast) CPT Code: `70460`	$2,232	$2,232	$242	9.2×
CT scan, sinuses CPT Code: `70486`	$2,193	$2,193	$166	13.2×
MRI, lower back (no contrast) CPT Code: `72148`	$4,715	$1,916	$338	5.7×
Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex) CPT Code: `93970`	$1,845	$1,845	$272	6.8×
CT scan, head (with and without contrast) CPT Code: `70470`	$2,904	$1,703	$258	6.6×
Blood transfusion CPT Code: `36430`	$1,486	$1,486	$498	3.0×
MRI, knee or other leg joint CPT Code: `73721`	$3,439	$1,455	$369	3.9×
CT scan, head (no contrast) CPT Code: `70450`	$2,652	$1,344	$160	8.4×
Ultrasound, abdomen (complete) CPT Code: `76700`	$1,229	$1,229	$134	9.2×
Ultrasound, pelvis CPT Code: `76856`	$1,140	$1,140	$130	8.8×
Ultrasound, abdomen (limited) CPT Code: `76705`	$893	$893	$126	7.1×
Ultrasound, thyroid and neck CPT Code: `76536`	$788	$788	$132	6.0×
X-ray, lower back CPT Code: `72110`	$672	$672	$112	6.0×
X-ray, neck (cervical spine) CPT Code: `72040`	$452	$452	$93	4.9×
X-ray, hip CPT Code: `73502`	$446	$446	$93	4.8×
X-ray, shoulder CPT Code: `73030`	$436	$436	$92	4.7×
Speech therapy (language evaluation) CPT Code: `92507`	$389	$389	$86	4.5×
X-ray, hand CPT Code: `73130`	$410	$410	$93	4.4×
X-ray, pelvis CPT Code: `72170`	$394	$394	$110	3.6×
X-ray, chest (single view) CPT Code: `71045`	$342	$342	$92	3.7×
X-ray, foot CPT Code: `73630`	$410	$250	$92	2.7×
X-ray, ankle CPT Code: `73610`	$390	$240	$93	2.6×
Screening mammogram (both breasts) CPT Code: `77067`	$499	$232	$123	1.9×
Electrical stimulation therapy HCPCS Code: `G0283`	$142	$142	$14	10.1×
Physical therapy (neuromuscular re-education) CPT Code: `97112`	$149	$149	$38	3.9×
Physical therapy (gait training) CPT Code: `97116`	$122	$122	$33	3.7×
Occupational therapy (therapeutic activities) CPT Code: `97530`	$147	$147	$40	3.7×
Occupational therapy (self-care training) CPT Code: `97535`	$138	$138	$38	3.6×
Hospital observation (per hour) HCPCS Code: `G0378`	$137	$137	$86	1.6×
X-ray, chest (two views) CPT Code: `71046`	$420	$128	$93	1.4×
Physical therapy (functional capacity test) CPT Code: `97750`	$93	$93	$38	2.4×
Orthotic fitting and training CPT Code: `97760`	$107	$107	$51	2.1×
Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) CPT Code: `99214`	$109	$109	$123	0.9×
Culture, blood CPT Code: `87040`	$289	$289	$11	26.3×
Blood test, comprehensive metabolic panel CPT Code: `80053`	$263	$263	$11	23.9×
Blood test, basic metabolic panel CPT Code: `80048`	$231	$231	$9	25.7×
Blood test, liver function panel CPT Code: `80076`	$195	$195	$9	21.7×
Hepatitis C antibody test CPT Code: `86803`	$218	$218	$15	14.5×
Pneumococcal vaccine HCPCS Code: `90732`	$240	$240	$140	1.7×
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine HCPCS Code: `90716`	$236	$236	$203	1.2×
Blood test, vitamin D CPT Code: `82306`	$189	$189	$31	6.1×
Drug screening test HCPCS Code: `G0480`	$210	$210	$116	1.8×
Culture, bacterial CPT Code: `87070`	$184	$184	$9	20.4×
Blood test, thyroid (TSH) CPT Code: `84443`	$161	$161	$18	8.9×
Blood test, PSA (prostate screen) CPT Code: `84153`	$168	$168	$19	8.8×
Prostate cancer screening (blood test) HCPCS Code: `G0103`	$174	$174	$20	8.7×
Blood antibody screen CPT Code: `86850`	$174	$174	$46	3.8×
Blood test, clotting time (PTT) CPT Code: `85730`	$130	$130	$6	21.7×
Blood test, lipase CPT Code: `83690`	$135	$135	$7	19.3×
Blood test, amylase CPT Code: `82150`	$128	$128	$7	18.3×
Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) CPT Code: `80061`	$143	$143	$14	10.2×
Blood test, vitamin B12 CPT Code: `82607`	$124	$124	$16	7.8×
MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) HCPCS Code: `90707`	$142	$142	$111	1.3×
Blood test, magnesium CPT Code: `83735`	$116	$116	$7	16.6×
Blood test, complete blood count (CBC) CPT Code: `85025`	$123	$123	$8	15.4×
Blood test, clotting time (PT/INR) CPT Code: `85610`	$97	$97	$5	19.4×
Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c) CPT Code: `83036`	$121	$121	$10	12.1×
Urinalysis (automated, with microscopy) CPT Code: `81001`	$90	$90	$3	30.0×
Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) CPT Code: `84520`	$79	$79	$4	19.8×
Blood test, glucose (blood sugar) CPT Code: `82947`	$74	$74	$4	18.5×
Blood test, potassium CPT Code: `84132`	$90	$90	$5	18.0×
Blood test, calcium CPT Code: `82310`	$84	$84	$5	16.8×
Blood test, creatinine (kidney) CPT Code: `82565`	$75	$75	$5	15.0×
DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) HCPCS Code: `90700`	$91	$91	$39	2.3×
Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) HCPCS Code: `90715`	$100	$100	$56	1.8×
Blood test, hemoglobin CPT Code: `85018`	$54	$54	$3	18.0×
Blood test, sodium CPT Code: `84295`	$75	$75	$5	15.0×
Physical therapy (therapeutic exercise) CPT Code: `97110`	$149	$70	$35	2.0×
Hepatitis B vaccine HCPCS Code: `90744`	$73	$73	$37	2.0×
Physical therapy (manual therapy) CPT Code: `97140`	$132	$67	$34	2.0×
Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only) CPT Code: `93005`	$48	$48	$64	0.8×
Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) CPT Code: `99213`	$65	$65	$87	0.7×
New patient office visit (30-44 min) CPT Code: `99203`	$65	$65	$110	0.6×
Blood test, ferritin (iron stores) CPT Code: `82728`	$39	$39	$14	2.8×
Pneumonia vaccine injection HCPCS Code: `G0009`	$22	$22	$49	0.4×
Colorectal cancer screening HCPCS Code: `G0010`	$22	$22	$49	0.4×
Flu vaccine injection HCPCS Code: `G0008`	$21	$21	$48	0.4×
Breathing treatment (nebulizer) CPT Code: `94640`	$30	$30	$201	0.1×

Showing top 25 high-impact procedures of 90 total

Inline Bill X-Ray & 501(r) Calculator 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Free Care ≤200% FPL · AGB Cap 50.7%

Audit a Bill or Quote at Niobrara Valley Hospital (Zero PHI Required)

CMS CCN: 281303

CPT 74177

Select Procedure to Audit:

Fair BaseRate™ $448

Medicare Rate $356

Self-Pay Cash $6,274

Insurer Median $6,274

1. Amount on Your Bill or Quote ($) Pre-filled with Niobrara Valley Hospital’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 501(r) AGB Cap: $3,180 (274% FPL)

Statutory 501(r) AGB Cap Limits Bill to $3,180

At 274% FPL (201%–400% FPL tier), 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5) caps FAP-eligible bills at Amounts Generally Billed (50.7% of gross = $3,180).

Step 2 · Cash vs. Insurance Arbitrage Published Cash: $6,274

Compare Prompt-Pay Cash Rate Against Remaining Deductible

Niobrara Valley Hospital's published 45 CFR § 180 self-pay cash rate is $6,274 (vs. $6,274 commercial insurer median). Ask billing to reclassify the visit to prompt-pay self-pay if it beats your deductible.

Step 3 · Fair BaseRate Target +$5,826 Above Fair BaseRate

Negotiate Toward $448 Fair BaseRate ($356 Medicare)

Your bill ($6,274) is $5,826 above the denoised Fair BaseRate ($448) and 17.6× the $356 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) 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Hospital

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

EIN: 470537192

Filing Period: 197511

Free Care Eligibility BenchmarkUp to 200% FPL100% charity write-off income threshold

Discounted Care EligibilityUp to 400% FPLSliding-scale & AGB billing cap tier

Charity Care Share of ExpensesSee Schedule HNet community financial assistance reported

26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5) AGB Benchmark Method: lookback_commercial_median

Hospital-Specific CMS HCRIS Benchmark (50.7% of gross charges)

Under 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5), a tax-exempt hospital organization may not bill FAP-eligible patients more than Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to individuals with insurance covering emergency or medically necessary care. Derived from this facility’s reported CMS HCRIS cost-to-charge & insurer allowance filings. Verify your exact Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) determination directly with the billing office.

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

Safety Composite85/100

Median ER Wait90 min

Source: CMS Hospital Care Compare. 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

Regional Quality & Price Benchmark

2D regional comparison of commercial negotiated price index against CMS clinical quality composite for Niobrara Valley Hospital.

Price Index: 0.95× regional baseline

Quality: 54/100 CMS composite

Median Household Income$58,984U.S. Census ACS

Local Uninsured Share9.1%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 51/100 · Caution CMS CCN 281303 EIN 470537192

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

MRF Portal Indexed (CMS_45_CFR_180_FILING.json) Verify on CMS Medicare.gov (CCN 281303) ↗ Verify IRS Form 990 (EIN 470537192) ↗ CMS HCRIS Cost Reports ↗

Published MRF FileCMS_45_CFR_180_FILING.json

Publication / Vintage3/27/2026

Validated Rate Rows10 (CMS v3.0.0)

File Integrity DigestVerified · CCN 281303

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.

Submit MRF Update Correction Policy