Blog & Cost Guides
Data-driven healthcare pricing insights and procedure cost guides.
Latest Articles
Why Hospital Prices Vary by 10x for the Same Procedure
The same MRI can cost $475 at one facility and $4,800 at another just miles away. We explain the forces behind healthcare's wildest price swings.
GuideHow to Read a Hospital Price Transparency File
Since 2021 hospitals must publish prices. Here's how to actually find and understand those files.
AnalysisCash Pay vs Insurance: When Paying Out-of-Pocket Saves Money
Surprising cases where skipping insurance and paying cash can cut your bill in half.
PolicyThe Hospital Price Transparency Rule, Explained
Everything you need to know about the CMS rule that requires hospitals to publish their prices.
DataThe 10 Most Overpriced Hospital Procedures in America
Data from 6,500+ hospitals reveals which procedures have the biggest markups.
AnalysisNegotiated Rates Decoded: What Insurers Actually Pay
We analyzed billions of negotiated rate records to show what insurance companies really pay hospitals.
DataHow to Save 50% on an MRI: Imaging Center vs Hospital
Our analysis of 6,262 imaging facilities shows the median MRI costs $215 at an imaging center vs $495 at a hospital. Learn how to cut your MRI bill in half.
Guide5 Ways to Lower Your Colonoscopy Cost
Colonoscopy prices range from $215 to $3,742. Our analysis of thousands of facilities reveals 5 strategies to cut your cost significantly.
AnalysisSelf-Pay vs Insurance: When Paying Cash Actually Saves You Money
Many imaging centers and surgery centers offer cash prices below insurance negotiated rates. Learn when skipping insurance saves you money.
DataWhy Does the Same Procedure Cost 10x More at Different Hospitals?
MRI knee: $147 to $2,243. Colonoscopy: $215 to $3,742. Knee replacement: $803 to $19,553. We explain the forces behind healthcare's extreme price variation.
AnalysisHospital vs Surgery Center: Cost, Quality, and Safety Compared
ASCs save patients 20-30% on common procedures with equivalent safety records. Real price comparisons for colonoscopy, knee arthroscopy, and cataract surgery.
GuideUnderstanding Your Medical Bill: Facility Fee vs Professional Fee
Your MRI bill has 2 charges, your colonoscopy has 4. Learn what facility fees and professional fees are, why they exist, and how to lower them.
GuideWhat is Hospital Price Transparency? How to Use It
Since 2021, hospitals must publish prices. CarePrices covers 380,000+ healthcare facilities and 10,522 CPT codes. Here's how to actually use this data to save money.
GuideHow to Choose the Best Imaging Center for Your MRI or CT Scan
With 6,262 imaging NPIs for MRI alone, choosing the right center matters. Compare prices ($136-$516 at centers vs $147-$2,243 at hospitals) and quality factors.
GuideCPT Codes Explained: How to Look Up Any Medical Procedure Price
CPT codes are the key to unlocking healthcare prices. We cover 10,522 codes. Learn to use them with examples: 73721 (MRI knee), 45378 (colonoscopy), and more.
GuideHow to Negotiate Your Hospital Bill: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hospital bills are negotiable. Learn the proven 6-step process to reduce your medical bill, from requesting itemization to leveraging financial assistance programs.
GuideIn-Network vs Out-of-Network: How to Check Before Your Procedure
Out-of-network bills can be 3-5x higher than in-network. Learn how to verify network status for every provider involved in your procedure.
ExplainerIs a Freestanding ER Worth the Extra Cost?
Freestanding ERs charge emergency-level prices for urgent care-level problems. Learn when each option is appropriate and how to avoid overpaying.
GuideHow to Read an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Your EOB is not a bill — it’s a roadmap to understanding what you owe and why. Learn to decode each section and spot common errors.
GuideWhat Happens If You Can't Pay Your Hospital Bill? 7 Options
Facing a hospital bill you can't afford? You have more options than you think — from financial assistance to negotiation to payment plans.
PolicySurprise Medical Bills: Your Rights Under the No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act protects you from unexpected out-of-network bills. Learn when it applies, how to dispute charges, and how to get Good Faith Estimates.