Methodology
The federal rule behind these prices
Since 2021, the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule (45 CFR Part 180) has required every U.S. hospital to publish its standard charges in two ways: a comprehensive machine-readable file, and a consumer-friendly display of at least 300 "shoppable" services. Required price types include the gross charge, the discounted cash price (for patients paying out of pocket), and payer-negotiated rates. This site republishes the cash prices hospitals disclose under that rule — nothing more.
Official reference: CMS Hospital Price Transparency.
Where our numbers come from
Each price on this site was read directly from a public source published by the hospital itself — its online price estimator, its published price file, or, where the hospital's own download is technically blocked, a third-party analysis of that hospital's published file (labeled as such). Every price records its source and the date it was read. We never estimate, model, or invent prices. Where a hospital does not publish a cash price for a procedure, we say so plainly.
What "cash price" means — and what it doesn't include
- Prices shown are hospital facility fees only — the charge for the operating room, equipment, supplies, and hospital staff.
- They do not include surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, radiology or pathology fees, or implant/device costs, which are billed separately and can be substantial.
- A published cash price is an estimate, not a guaranteed bill. Your final cost depends on your specific care.
Verify before you schedule
Hospital prices change. Before scheduling any procedure, confirm the cash price directly with the hospital's financial counseling or price-estimate team, and ask what is and isn't included.
Data sources
About this project
Hospital Price Compare was founded by Dr. Jesus A. Virlar, an internal medicine physician who worked as a hospitalist in San Antonio and Laredo hospitals, to help patients see the real cost of care before they need it.