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Hospital Profile Acute Care Hospital Voluntary non-profit - Private 40 Beds · urban Updated: 2026-07-01

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City

330 Main Street, Dickson City, PA 18519 · 49 Priced Procedures · 84% Patient Recommendation

CMS Overall Rating 3 / 5 Stars
Pillar 1 · The BaseRate™ CompositeHow 1.00× Fair BaseRate Works: Raw price averages unfairly penalize hospitals in high-wage cities or trauma centers treating sicker patients. We adjust for local CMS hospital wage levels and patient complexity first. A 1.00× score means right at the fair price average, 0.85× means 15% cheaper than fair market, and 1.30× means 30% above fair market.Good Deal · Below Fair Market
0.93×vs. Fair Market Price
Position vs. 1.00× Fair Price7% Below Fair Price 1.00× (center of the bar) is the U.S. fair price average after accounting for local hospital wages and patient complexity. Left of center (<1.00×) is below fair price; right of center (>1.00×) is above fair price.

Typical commercial prices here are 7% below the fair benchmark (0.93×) after accounting for local nurse/doctor wages and patient complexity.

Pillar 2 · VeriRate™ Data TrustHow VeriRate™ (0–100) Works: Hospitals are legally required to publish machine-readable price files, but some bury fake $0.01 numbers or omit cash discounts. VeriRate audits each file across 5 checks (hover any badge below to see what it tests).86/100 · Verified
86/100Self-Pay Cash Beats Insurance 0% of the Time
File Completeness95Provenance (File Completeness): Checks whether the hospital published a complete, up-to-date machine-readable price file with valid CPT and MS-DRG billing codes instead of leaving blanks.
Price Logic100Coherence (Price Logic): Checks whether the hospital’s numbers make basic sense — e.g., self-pay cash price is lower than gross list price, with no fake $0.01 or $999,999 placeholder numbers.
Peer Alignment68Concordance (Peer Alignment): Checks whether reported prices sit in a realistic range compared to Medicare and nearby hospitals rather than wild 100× unit errors.
Clean Billing61Regularity (Clean Billing): Checks whether rates are structured consistently across procedures without erratic statistical spikes or hidden unbundled facility fees.
Real Cash Discount100Cash Honesty (Real Cash Discount): Checks whether the hospital offers a genuine self-pay cash discount that beats or matches commercial insurance rates instead of billing full sticker price.
Pillar 3 · Clinical Quality & ER SpeedChecks whether higher hospital prices actually buy better clinical quality — combining CMS Star Ratings, hospital safety scores, and emergency room wait times.Regional Value Leader
CMS Star Rating4/5 StarsOfficial CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating (1 to 5 stars) summarizing mortality, safety of care, readmissions, and patient experience.
Safety Score71/100Composite patient safety score (0–100) derived from CMS hospital-acquired infection rates (CLABSI, CAUTI, MRSA, C. diff), surgical complications, and HCAHPS surveys.
Typical ER Wait170 minMedian minutes patients spent in the emergency department before leaving from the visit, as reported to CMS Timely and Effective Care.

4-Star CMS clinical quality rating paired with 0.93× fair market pricing.

Behavioral Pricing FingerprintHigh Infusion / OR Multiples

Specialty Drug & Surgical Margin Engine

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City concentrates commercial margin in outpatient surgical suites (1.4× Medicare) and specialty drug infusions (5.4× Medicare) relative to routine diagnostics (1.2×). Comparing freestanding ambulatory surgery centers or specialty pharmacy options before treatment yields substantial savings.

#50 of 134 in PA · 36th State Percentile#879 of 3,385 in U.S. · 25th National Percentile
Advantage

Where They're Good (Patient & Payer Edge)

  • Elective shoppable care is priced 7% below peer Fair BaseRate (0.93×)
  • Self-pay cash beats commercial insurance on 0% of shoppable procedures (99/100 Cash Honesty)
  • CMS clinical safety score (71/100 safety score) with 84% patient recommendation
  • IRS 501(c)(3) charity care provides free care up to 200% FPL and discounted care up to 400% FPL (30.0% AGB cap)
Watchout

Where You Can Get Burned (Markup Traps)

  • Outpatient surgery & OR suites carry a 1.4× markup over Medicare rates
  • Captive ER (1.6×) & laboratory (1.5×) services average 1.36× higher multiples than routine shoppable care (1.1×)
  • Specialty infusion drugs (J-codes) average 5.4× Medicare — verify per-unit billing on itemized statements
  • Consolidated metro market (HHI 2,360) limits in-network hospital competition (Moderately Concentrated (1,500–2,500))
Front-Door ShoppableElective / Imaging
1.1× Medicare

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

Back-Door Captive & ER1.36× Divergence
1.5× Medicare

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

Quantile Tail Spread+10% Upper Tail
Q25 0.83× · Q50 0.91× · Q75 1.00×

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
1.1× MedicareGood
Outpatient Surgery & ORBack-Door Captive
1.4× MedicareGood
Diagnostic Imaging (CT/MRI)Front-Door Shoppable
1.2× MedicareGood
Back-Door Captive ER VisitsBack-Door Captive
1.6× MedicareGood
Inpatient Lab & PathologyBack-Door Captive
1.5× MedicareGood
Specialty & Infusion Drugs (J-Codes)Back-Door Captive
5.4× MedicareWatchout
Self-Pay Cash Honesty & 501(r)Integrity & Outcomes
0% Cash Edge · 99/100Good
CMS Clinical Safety & Star ValueIntegrity & Outcomes
3 CMS · 71/100Fair

Procedure Prices at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City

High-impact clinical procedures (MRIs, surgeries, inpatient stays, visits) are prioritized first. Use the category pills or search bar to filter all 49 published procedures.

Sort:
Procedure & Billing Code This Hospital vs. Fair
Hip or knee replacement (inpatient stay)
MS-DRG Code: 470
$30,812 unverified
Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)
MS-DRG Code: 451
$24,261 0.8×
Digestive disorders treatment (inpatient stay)
MS-DRG Code: 392
$7,082 0.9×
Gallbladder removal (laparoscopic)
CPT Code: 47562
$6,183 1.0×
C-section delivery (full package)
CPT Code: 59510
$2,665 0.9×
Vaginal delivery (full package)
CPT Code: 59400
$2,387 0.9×
Sleep study (overnight, in lab)
CPT Code: 95810
$878 0.9×
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
CPT Code: 93306
$559 1.0×
MRI, brain (no contrast)
CPT Code: 70551
$443 1.3×
MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
CPT Code: 70553
$449 0.9×
MRI, knee or other leg joint
CPT Code: 73721
$381 1.0×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
CPT Code: 74177
$369 0.8×
MRI, lower back (no contrast)
CPT Code: 72148
$339 1.0×
Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
CPT Code: 93970
$238 0.9×
CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (no contrast)
CPT Code: 74176
$249 0.8×
CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
CPT Code: 70470
$215 0.8×
Diagnostic mammogram (both breasts)
CPT Code: 77066
$169 1.1×
CT scan, neck (cervical spine)
CPT Code: 72125
$177 1.0×
CT scan, sinuses
CPT Code: 70486
$172 1.0×
CT scan, head (with contrast)
CPT Code: 70460
$185 0.8×
CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine)
CPT Code: 72131
$184 unverified
CT scan, head (no contrast)
CPT Code: 70450
$155 1.0×
CT scan, chest (no contrast)
CPT Code: 71250
$177 unverified
Screening mammogram (both breasts)
CPT Code: 77067
$136 1.1×
CT scan, pelvis
CPT Code: 72192
$149 0.9×
Showing top 25 high-impact procedures of 49 total
Inline Bill X-Ray & 501(r) Calculator 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Free Care ≤200% FPL · AGB Cap 30.0%

Audit a Bill or Quote at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City (Zero PHI Required)

CMS CCN: 390338
CPT 470
Fair BaseRate™ $19,432
Medicare Rate $14,044
Self-Pay Cash Request Quote
Insurer Median $30,812
Pre-filled with Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City’s charged/list benchmark
Screened against 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines
2026 FPL: $15,650 + $5,500 per additional person
Step 1 · 501(r) Charity Care Check 501(r) AGB Cap: $22,170 (274% FPL)

Statutory 501(r) AGB Cap Limits Bill to $22,170

At 274% FPL (201%–400% FPL tier), 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)(5) caps FAP-eligible bills at Amounts Generally Billed (30.0% of gross = $22,170).

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

Compare Prompt-Pay Cash Rate Against Remaining Deductible

Ask Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City'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 +$54,517 Above Fair BaseRate

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

Your bill ($73,949) is $54,517 above the denoised Fair BaseRate ($19,432) and 5.3× 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) 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Hospital

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

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: cbsa_nonprofit_median

Illustrative National Nonprofit Peer Median (30.0% of gross — request this hospital's exact FAP Look-Back AGB percentage)

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. Hospital-specific AGB look-back percentages are published in each facility’s written Financial Assistance Policy (FAP). This figure reflects the national nonprofit peer median benchmark.

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 Overall4/5 Stars (4/5)
Safety Composite71/100
Would Recommend84%
Rated 9 or 10 (HCAHPS)79%
Median ER Wait170 min
Left ER Before Seen1%
30-Day Mortality vs U.S.same
Unplanned Readmissionsame
Hip/Knee Complication Rate3.9%

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 Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City. Prior administrative notices do not necessarily reflect current compliance status.

  • 2025-07-18·administrative_or_closure

    Met Requirements

    Recorded

Source: CMS Hospital Care Compare (626 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

Regional Value & Quality Leader Pareto Frontier (Price + Quality)

2D regional comparison of commercial negotiated price index against CMS clinical quality composite for Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City.

Price Index: 0.55× regional baseline
Quality: 70/100 CMS composite

Notable Payer Contract Outliers (SVD Matrix Anomalies)

UnitedHealthcare
-57.4%
HealthPartners
-46.9%
Median Household Income$64,691U.S. Census ACS
Local Uninsured Share4.7%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 86/100 · Verified CMS CCN 390338

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

Published MRF Filedicksoncity
Publication / Vintage2026-07-01 · 394.71 MB
Validated Rate Rows1,935 (CMS v3.0.0)
File Integrity Digest05215f3faf9db66a37af…

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.