Spinal fusion (not neck), no complications in San Luis Obispo, CA: hospital prices
None of the 3 hospitals in this metro area has a readable file with this code yet.
None of the 3 hospitals in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area has a readable price file that lists spinal fusion (not neck), no complications (MS-DRG 460) yet. Hospitals must publish a machine-readable file of standard charges, but many do not, or leave codes out; we re-read every file monthly and this page updates when a price appears.
What's in the price
The hospital facility fee for MS-DRG 460. 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 460, in writing, and whether it covers facility, physician and anesthesia."
About spinal fusion (not neck), no complications
MS-DRG 460 is the inpatient stay for a spinal fusion below the neck, most often a lumbar fusion for instability, spondylolisthesis or degenerative disc disease that has not responded to other treatment. The stay is typically two to four days and recovery takes months.
What the price covers
The DRG price is the hospital's charge for the whole stay: operating room, implants (screws, rods, cages, bone graft), room and board, nursing and supplies. The surgeon and anesthesiologist bill separately, as do rehabilitation and any bracing.
Before you compare prices
Lumbar fusion for back pain without instability is one of the most debated operations in medicine, and outcomes vary widely. A second opinion is worth more than a lower price. When surgery is clearly indicated, the price spread between hospitals in the same area is large, often two to four times for the identical DRG.
Questions to ask
- What is the self-pay price for DRG 460, and what do surgeon and anesthesia add?
- Which implants will be used, and how much of the price are they?
- What is the expected length of stay, and what does an extra day cost?
Hospitals in San Luis Obispo, CA without a price for this procedure
Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.
- Adventist Health Sierra VistaWebsite blocks automated reading
- Adventist Health Twin CitiesWebsite blocks automated reading
- French Hospital Medical Centercode not in file