Cesarean section hospital stay, no complications in San Diego, CA costs $9,417 to $54,577. Here's every hospital's price.
8 hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area publish a cash price for cesarean section hospital stay, no complications (MS-DRG 788). We read their files every month so you don't have to.
Across the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, 8 hospitals list a cash price for cesarean section hospital stay, no complications (MS-DRG 788). The lowest is $9,417 at Scripps Mercy Hospital, the median is $10,652 and the highest is $54,577 at Sharp Coronado Hospital and Hlthcr Ctr. The most expensive hospital lists 5.8 times the cheapest for the same code.
The San Diego, CA median of $10,652 is 16% below the national median of $12,725 across 244 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.
9 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $7,153 to $65,492. With insurance you pay a share of the negotiated rate, which is sometimes higher than the cash price; you may ask for the cash price instead.
The files behind these prices are dated between March 2026 and September 2026. 7 other hospitals in the metro area have no readable price for this code: some publish no file, some block automated reading, some leave the code out. They are listed below so you can call them.
Sorted by cash price
Hospital facility fee onlySan Diego · 29 mi · File Mar 2026
National City · 29 mi · File Sep 2026
La Jolla · 28 mi · File Mar 2026
Encinitas · 30 mi · File Mar 2026
La Mesa · 22 mi · File Apr 2026
San Diego · 27 mi · File Apr 2026
Chula Vista · 31 mi · File Apr 2026
Coronado · 32 mi · File Apr 2026
What's in the price
The hospital facility fee for MS-DRG 788. The doctor, anesthesia and lab work usually bill separately.
Cash vs. insured
Cash is what you pay without insurance. With insurance you pay a share of the negotiated rate, which can be higher than cash. You may ask for the cash price.
What to say on the phone
"I'd like the self-pay price for MS-DRG 788, in writing, and whether it covers facility, physician and anesthesia."
About cesarean section hospital stay, no complications
MS-DRG 788 is the hospital stay for an uncomplicated cesarean birth: operating room, nursing, the mother's room for two to four nights, supplies and medications. About a third of US births are cesarean, and this DRG covers the uncomplicated ones.
What the price covers, and what it does not
The mother's stay only. Not included: the obstetrician (global package 59510), the anesthesiologist, the assistant surgeon, the newborn's own stay and pediatric care (billed to the baby), and laboratory tests. Plan for several separate bills if paying cash, and ask for each in advance.
Why prices vary
Cesarean stays vary two to four times between hospitals in the same area, and the gap between a cesarean and a vaginal delivery at the same hospital is usually 50 to 100 percent. Many hospitals offer a fixed self-pay maternity package that includes a cesarean if needed; it is often the best protection against surprise costs.
Questions to ask
- What is the self-pay price for DRG 788, and what is the newborn's stay?
- Is there a self-pay package that covers both vaginal and cesarean birth?
- What do anesthesia and the assistant surgeon cost?
Hospitals in San Diego, CA without a price for this procedure
Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San DiegoNo price file found
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San MarcosNo website on record
- Palomar Health Downtown CampusWebsite blocks automated reading
- Palomar Medical Center PowayWebsite blocks automated reading
- Rady Children's Hospital - San DiegoFile in an unsupported format
- Scripps Green Hospitalcode not in file
- UC San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med CtrNo price file found