CMS Price Transparency Data

Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay)

Facility: Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Billing Code: 451 (MS-DRG)

The BaseRate · fair price high confidence

A fair price for this

$28,004

about 1.2× the $23,504 Medicare rate · typically $25,867–$34,231

modeled estimate · not a bill or quote

What this hospital charges insurers

$28,066

About the fair price

about $62 over the fair price · 1.2× Medicare

Medicare pays $23,504 Fair price $28,004 This hospital $28,066

How we calculate the fair BaseRate →

How this hospital compares to other TX hospitals

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

Cheapest $12,081 Priciest $28,066

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

A fair price for a Spinal fusion, single level (inpatient stay) is about $28,004 (about 1.2× the $23,504 Medicare rate). Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital charges insurers about $28,066 — about the fair price. Located in Houston, TX.

What each insurance company pays

Which insurers have negotiated a price with this hospital for this procedure — and which haven’t.

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

✓ UnitedHealthcare✓ Blue Cross Blue Shield✓ Aetna✓ Cigna✓ Humana Kaiser 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	$25,515 - $49,754	109%
Blue Cross Blue Shieldmajor	$25,515 - $26,280	109%
Aetnamajor	$25,898	110%
Cignamajor	$26,280 - $40,914	112%
Humanamajor	$25,515	109%
Devoted Health	$27,301 - $31,893	116%
Molina	$26,791 - $51,030	114%
Oscar Health	$26,791	114%
+ 5 smaller / regional plans	$25,515 - $48,478

Government programs also on file: Military & VA.

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 Houston Methodist Willowbrook 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 Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

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

Childrens Medical Ctr of Dallas · Dallas $12,081
Childrens Medical Center Plano · Plano $12,081
Burleson St Joseph Health Center · Caldwell $20,211
Ascension Seton Southwest · Austin $20,240
Ascension Seton Hays · Kyle $20,376
Christus Mother Frances Hospital · Tyler $20,481
Ascension Seton Northwest · Austin $20,494
Ascension Providence · Waco $20,638

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