Show HN: What 482 hospitals charge vs. what insurers pay, from their own files
10 hours ago
- - Every US hospital is required to publish a file of its prices, including negotiated rates with each insurer.
- - The analysis reviewed current files from 482 hospitals across 48 states, comparing list prices with what insurers actually pay for common services.
- - Across all compared services, list prices are typically 3 to 18 times higher than insurer-paid rates.
- - Examples: A moderate ER visit is listed at $1,285 while insurers pay a median of $288 (4.5x); a comprehensive metabolic panel is listed at $207 vs. $11.46 paid (18.1x); a CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast is listed at $4,591 vs. $438 paid (10.5x).
- - Most hospitals list common services at 3 or more times the insurer rate; for example, 64% of hospitals list a moderate ER visit at 3x or more.
- - The data comes from hospital standard charges files, uses only per-service fee-schedule rates, excludes bundled payments and surgeries, and drops implausible values. Figures do not include separate physician bills.