Cost of Care and Price Transparency
Welcome to the UCLA Health price transparency site.
We have created four searchable tools to allow patients to look up anticipated charges for health care services. While it is impossible to know ahead of time which services will be needed to address each patient’s specific medical needs, these tools provide an estimate of anticipated charges.
We know health care costs, billing and insurance can be confusing, and we strive to address patient questions with clarity and compassion.
In all cases except where noted, this does not include the prices for physician services – this is for hospital services only.
1. Charge List
The first tool is a complete list of prices for all hospital services. This is often referred to as the “Charge Master” in the hospital billing world. This is the most comprehensive and detailed picture of hospital charges.
2. Average Charges for Inpatient Cases
The table of average charges for inpatient cases shows the average charges for different types of inpatient stays. This table can be filtered by hospital as well as by a “Medical” admission or a “Surgical” admission.
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3. Average Charges for Outpatient Cases
The table of average charges for outpatient cases shows the average charges for the most common outpatient services, procedures and surgeries. As is the case for all data on this site, these are averages to provide a general idea of expected charges. Actual charges will vary.
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4. Cash Package Rates
UCLA Health offers cash pricing for selected services. These are fixed rates for specific outpatient procedures. The cash rate covers all hospital services and physician charges, including anesthesiology, radiology and select peri-operative tests. These rates are only available for cash pay cases. Insurance will not be billed and claim forms will not be provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this information posted here?
UCLA Health is committed to making this information available so that consumers can make informed health care decisions. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has encouraged hospitals to create a consumer-friendly communications of charges to help patients understand their financial responsibilities.
What is the charge master?
Also known as the charge list, this includes the billed amounts for all medical and surgical services – in effect, the retail price. A specific hospitalization or outpatient visit bill will be a combination of many of these individual charges.
What services are included in the charge master?
These retail prices incorporate room and board (for inpatients), supplies, nursing care, equipment use, nutritional services and any services performed by non-physician hospital staff.
What services are excluded from the charge master and other price transparency tools?
Physician services related to your hospital stay or visit are not included; they are billed separately. For example, doctors may not be directly employed by a hospital, even if they work in a hospital. Therefore, you’ll receive a separate bill from any doctors who treated you during your stay. This may include radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists and others.
How does this affect my health insurance?
Insurance companies reimburse health care providers based on their individual contracts with providers. Each individual patient’s financial responsibility varies based on the type and degree of insurance coverage. We encourage patients to consult with their insurers for specific questions about their coverage.
What if a service I need is not listed on the website?
Please contact our Centralized Cash Pricing Unit via email at HospitalCashPricing@mednet.ucla.edu. We will be happy to provide you with a pricing estimate within one business day. If your request is urgent, please call 310-794-1125 to speak with a representative.
If I need pricing guidance, what information do I need to have available?
Please be prepared to provide the following when seeking a price quote:
- Physician referral, including a description of needed services
- Name of UCLA physician
- If insured, please have your insurance card available
Can I get an exact pricing estimate?
We will do our best to provide you with a pricing range based on groups of services historically used to treat individual conditions. However, estimated prices are not guaranteed. This is because actual treatment received may differ from services used to compile the estimated pricing range. For example, your physician may order additional tests or services to address unforeseen medical complications or clinical needs.
What if I don’t have insurance?
For patient payments owed to UCLA Health, UCLA Health offers interest-free payment plans and subsidizes care for qualified patients.
