Hospital Price Variation
State-by-State Breakdown

Overview

PRA analyzed 100 hospital files in a sample set of 10 states, including California, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.

Researchers specifically looked at the prices of five common medical services: Appendectomy, Arthroscopic Knee Surgery, Caesarean Section, Cataract Surgery, and MRI of Lower Extremity Without Contrast.  

Click here to read the full Hospital Price Variation Report.

State-by-State Findings

Golden Gate Bridge with a California map overlay in the sky

California

  • In California, prices varied within the same hospital by 24 times for an appendectomy, three times for a knee surgery, three times for a Caesarian section, six times for cataract surgery, and 19 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in California, PRA found an average variation of 24 times for an appendectomy, 25 times for a knee surgery, five times for a Caesarian section, 136 times for cataract surgery, and 32 times for an MRI. 

A lake surrounded by green trees with mountains in the background, overlaid with a white outline of the state of Idaho.

Idaho

  • In Idaho, prices varied within the same hospital by three times for a knee surgery, eight times for a Caesarian section, eight times for cataract surgery, and 16 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Idaho, PRA found an average variation of 28 times for an appendectomy, 12 times for a knee surgery, 10 times for a Caesarian section, 15 times for cataract surgery, and 16 times for an MRI. 

A cityscape with a historic government building in the center, surrounded by trees and streets, viewed from above during daytime.

Indiana

  • In Indiana, prices varied within the same hospital by five times for an appendectomy, 13 times for a knee surgery, seven times for a Caesarian section, seven times for cataract surgery, and 23 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Indiana, PRA found an average variation of 90 times for an appendectomy, 35 times for a knee surgery, 80 times for a Caesarian section, 78 times for cataract surgery, and 78 times for an MRI

Silhouette of the Minnesota State Capitol building at dusk with a cutout map of Minnesota overlaid.

Kentucky

  • In Kentucky, prices varied within the same hospital by 18 times for an appendectomy, seven times for a knee surgery, six times for a Caesarian section, nine times for cataract surgery, and 26 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Kentucky, PRA found an average variation of 51 times for an appendectomy, 57 times for a knee surgery, 14 times for a Caesarian section, 15 times for cataract surgery, and 35 times for an MRI. 

A park in front of historical buildings and steeples, with trees, benches, and a horse-drawn carriage.

Louisiana

  • In Louisiana prices varied within the same hospital by 23 times for an appendectomy, six times for a knee surgery, four times for a Caesarian section, six times for cataract surgery, and 13 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Louisiana, PRA found an average variation of 32 times for an appendectomy, 13 times for a knee surgery, four times for a Caesarian section, nine times for cataract surgery, and 41 times for an MRI. 

Silhouette of the state of Minnesota over a city skyline with a park and river, under a blue sky.

Minnesota

  • In Minnesota, prices varied within the same hospital by six times for an appendectomy, seven times for a Caesarian section, and 11 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Minnesota, PRA found an average variation of 14 times for an appendectomy, eight times for a Caesarian section, and 16 times for an MRI. 

Silhouette of a person's profile superimposed over a city skyline with tall buildings and a bridge in the background.

New Jersey

  • In New Jersey, prices varied within the same hospital by nine times for cataract surgery.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in New Jersey, PRA found an average variation of seven times for a Caesarian section, 20 times for cataract surgery, and 40 times for an MRI. 

Outline of the state of New York over a city skyline at night.

New York

  • In New York, prices varied within the same hospital by 32 times for an appendectomy, seven times for a knee surgery, seven times for a Caesarian section, and 27 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in New York, PRA found an average variation of 32 times for an appendectomy, 18 times for a knee surgery, 25 times for a Caesarian section, 57 times for cataract surgery, and 47 times for an MRI. 

A landscape of a mountain, forest, and lake with a reflection, overlaid with a semi-transparent white silhouette of a cat.

Oregon

  • In Oregon, prices varied within the same hospital by six times for an appendectomy, five times for a Caesarian section, and 16 times for an MRI.  

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Oregon, PRA found an average variation of six times for an appendectomy, 10 times for a Caesarian section, 13 times for cataract surgery, and 27 times for an MRI. 

Empty city street at night with trees and buildings, illuminated by streetlights, and a large, light-colored silhouette of a dinosaur overlaid in the center.

Vermont

  • When comparing prices across different hospitals in Vermont, PRA found an average variation 16 times for an MRI.