Cost of Services

Price Transparency

As part of our ongoing mission, we provide financial assistance to those in need, while also working to be transparent with the community by providing cost estimates and pricing information.

Out-of-Pocket Estimates

UnityPoint Health financial counselors are available to provide out-of-pocket cost estimates based on your planned services and normal reimbursement from your insurance carrier/plan. Please call 1-833-23-PRICE or check out this guest estimate tool.

Many insurance providers also offer individualized estimates of your out-of-pocket costs given your specific health plan design. Your insurance provider may also have information to help you compare quality measures for available healthcare providers.

Uninsured or underinsured patients should consult with our Financial Coordinators to determine whether they qualify for any discounts. Call (563) 578-2158 for more information.

We consider the following information to determine your actual cost:

  • Whether our facility is "in-network" with your insurance plan
  • The amount of the estimated charge, or charges, for service you need
  • The amount of the discount your insurance company has negotiated
  • The amount of deductible you will be responsible for
  • The amount of co-insurance you will be responsible for
  • Any additional discounts or assistance you may qualify for

Standard Current Charges

Beginning January 1, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) "Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule" states  hospitals must make available a list of their current standard charges, including every item and service provided by the hospital. The list must include the charge for each item and service as represented in the hospital's "charge master," with a description for the item or service associated with each charge. An individual hospital's charges vary based on its unique range of services, adoption of new medical technologies, government funding level, patient demographics, and other local and regional factors.

Please note: This list of standard charges is no indication of what your final cost will be. The charges shown do not represent payments or any specific/individual patient responsibility. Your financial responsibility will vary depending on your health insurance plan. Also, fees for doctor services or anesthesia administration are not reflected in this list and will be billed separately by your doctor.

It is important for you to understand the difference between charges and costs. Charges are the full retail price for hospital or hospital outpatient services. The discount price is a lower rate that may be negotiated with payers ("contractual rate" or "allowable rate") or with patients ("self-pay discounts"). The final patient cost is the individual patient's financial responsibility (your cost for services based on your benefit coverage and the discounted price).

View CMH's standard current charge information [Excel]

View CMH's standard current charge information (CSV)

View CMH's price estimates for shoppable services

State Hospital Charge Comparisons

You may also access comparative hospital average charge information at state hospital association websites.

While this information no longer satisfies the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) "Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule," UnityPoint Health will continue to provide this useful information for health care consumers.

Iowa Hospital Charges Compare (Iowa Hospital Association)

Why Do Hospital Charges and Costs Vary?

Every patient's case is special and requires different levels of care. Hospitals are prepared with doctors, nurses and high-tech equipment around the clock for illness or injury – from a twisted ankle to a major accident to a natural disaster. The price a patient sees on the hospital bill reflects many people who care for them and keep the hospital operating, not just the services provided, such as:

  • Nurses and caregivers at the bedside
  • Pharmacists, lab technicians, food service staff, environmental service professionals and security personnel who, among many others, keep the hospital running 24/7
  • Specialty care providers
Hospital costs have many factors, such as staffing, equipment, maintenance costs and the differences in care needed by each patient. Key components of hospital costs that vary by region, community and individual hospital include:
  • Services provided for the patient's unique care needs
  • 24/7/365 readiness to meet the community's healthcare needs
  • Charity care for people unable to pay
  • Medicare and Medicaid payments

Financial Transparency is Important to Us

This information is intended to assist you as you plan for your current or near-future healthcare needs. Insurance plan coverage differs widely, and we strongly recommend you contact your insurance provider for an individualized estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. We are continuing to work to provide you with even better charge and cost information in the future.

No Surprise Billing

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or "balance billing." Learn more about your rights and protections against surprise medical billing.