How Hoosier Hospital Costs Rank Nationally

Have pneumonia? It’s less expensive to treat here

Indiana Ranks 33rd out of 50
Much has been made of the disparity between Indy hospitals’ fees for certain medical procedures or treatments. But when it comes to Indiana’s overall rank, as assessed by the Indiana Hospital Association, the Hoosier State still charges less to treat the likes of pneumonia or stroke than almost two-thirds of the states. The IHA used data that is now easily accessible online; to look up hospital pricing, go to data.cms.gov and select “Inpatient Prospective Payment System Provider Summary.” But remember, those costs are just a starting point—say, what a hospital would charge the uninsured. Most insurance companies negotiate for lower fees.
 
Illustration by Carl Wiens

This article appeared in the November 2013 issue.

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A native of Inman, South Carolina, Amanda Heckert graduated from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina and began her career in journalism as an intern at Atlanta magazine. She then edited Newcomer magazine, a monthly covering Atlanta real estate, entertainment, arts, dining, and education, and helped launch a sister publication, Atlanta School Guide.In 2006, Heckert returned to Atlanta magazine and worked her way up from associate editor covering fashion and lifestyle to senior editor. In that position, she edited and wrote features on topics such as Dasani bottled water and The Real Housewives of Atlanta; contributed to and edited the front-of-book; and edited service and non-service packages, including the September 2011 Hollywood Issue, nominated for a City and Regional Magazine Association Award.Heckert joined Indianapolis Monthly in February 2012 and enjoys getting to know the Circle City with her husband, writer Justin Heckert, and their dog, Cooper.