Neck (cervical) spinal fusion, no complications in San Francisco, CA: hospital prices

MS-DRG 473 is the inpatient stay for a cervical spinal fusion without complications: typically an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for a herniated disc or narrowing in the neck pressing on a nerve or the spinal cord. The stay is usually one night.

What the price covers

The DRG price is the hospital's charge for the whole stay: operating room, implants (plate, screws, cage or bone graft), room, nursing and supplies. The surgeon and anesthesiologist bill separately, as does any post-operative rehabilitation. One-level ACDFs are increasingly done as outpatient procedures billed with CPT codes, usually at lower cost.

Why prices vary

Spine surgery has some of the highest and most variable hospital prices. Implant costs, surgeon preference for specific hardware and system size all show up. The spread between hospitals in one metro area is commonly two to four times.

Questions to ask

• What is the self-pay price for DRG 473, and what do surgeon and anesthesia add?
• Which implants will be used, and are they included?
• Is a one-level fusion possible as an outpatient, and at what price?