Baylor St Lukes Medical Center
Baylor St Lukes Medical Center in Houston, TX charges 7.4x the Medicare reimbursement rate across 111 analyzed procedures at this nonprofit-religious hospital.
Houston, TX 77030 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 3/5
About the analyst
Michael Glenn reviews CMS datasets and drug pricing at BillRazor Research. He focuses on NADAC acquisition costs and procedure coding accuracy. Expertise: drug pricing, NADAC data, CPT coding.
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Billing patterns — nonprofit-religious
Nonprofit religious hospitals, representing 203 facilities in the dataset, demonstrate an average markup of 5.4x Medicare rates, positioning them in the mid-range compared to other ownership types. These institutions typically maintain standardized charge structures across their health system networks, often reflecting their mission-driven approach to healthcare delivery. Patients at nonprofit religious hospitals may encounter charges above the benchmark for routine procedures, though many offer financial assistance programs and charity care policies that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for qualifying individuals. Common billing patterns include transparent pricing for elective procedures and comprehensive financial counseling services. The potential difference between listed charges and actual patient responsibility can be substantial, particularly for uninsured patients who may qualify for sliding-scale payment options. Patients should inquire about available financial assistance programs during the admissions process, as these hospitals often have more flexible payment arrangements compared to for-profit facilities, reflecting their tax-exempt status and community benefit obligations.
Pricing grade
D
High
Avg markup vs Medicare
7.42x
Charge / Medicare rate
Max markup
12.89x
Worst procedure
Procedures analyzed
111
With pricing data
Outlier procedures
2.7%
Above 90th percentile
Pricing grades reflect how this hospital's chargemaster (list) rates compare to Medicare reimbursement benchmarks within the same state. Grades measure pricing patterns only — not quality of care, patient outcomes, or clinical performance. A lower grade does not mean a hospital provides inferior care. Based on publicly available federal data. Not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.
| Procedure | Code | Gross charge | Cash price | Medicare | Markup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT | 652 | $332,333 | $166,167 | — | 12.9x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 330 | $148,220 | $74,110 | — | 12x |
| OTHER CIRCULATORY SYSTEM O.R. PROCEDURES | 264 | $278,044 | $139,022 | — | 11.7x |
| DISORDERS OF PANCREAS EXCEPT MALIGNANCY WITH CC | 439 | $66,734 | $33,367 | — | 11.2x |
| RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITH MCC | 811 | $98,649 | $49,324 | — | 10x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITH CC | 660 | $91,158 | $45,579 | — | 9.9x |
| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 287 | $81,256 | $40,628 | — | 9.9x |
| DIABETES WITH MCC | 637 | $95,483 | $47,741 | — | 9.6x |
| ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 392 | $51,423 | $25,712 | — | 9.5x |
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WITH HEMODIALYSIS WITH MCC | 650 | $416,772 | $208,386 | — | 9.5x |
| SYNCOPE AND COLLAPSE | 312 | $58,235 | $29,117 | — | 9.4x |
| DEGENERATIVE NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 057 | $78,464 | $39,232 | — | 9.1x |
| PERCUTANEOUS AND OTHER INTRACARDIAC PROCEDURES WITHOUT MCC | 274 | $196,916 | $98,458 | — | 8.9x |
| RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 812 | $56,838 | $28,419 | — | 8.9x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS | 065 | $65,420 | $32,710 | — | 8.8x |
| HYPERTENSION WITHOUT MCC | 305 | $43,398 | $21,699 | — | 8.7x |
| OTHER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH CC | 394 | $56,791 | $28,396 | — | 8.7x |
| OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH CC | 253 | $125,895 | $62,948 | — | 8.7x |
| MALIGNANCY OF HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM OR PANCREAS WITH MCC | 435 | $132,373 | $66,187 | — | 8.6x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM O.R. PROCEDURES WITH MCC | 166 | $226,018 | $113,009 | — | 8.6x |
| ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITH MCC | 391 | $74,122 | $37,061 | — | 8.5x |
| INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE WITH CC | 386 | $53,804 | $26,902 | — | 8.5x |
| STOMACH, ESOPHAGEAL AND DUODENAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 328 | $83,018 | $41,509 | — | 8.5x |
| CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND CONDUCTION DISORDERS WITH MCC | 308 | $69,858 | $34,929 | — | 8.4x |
| EXTENSIVE O.R. PROCEDURES UNRELATED TO PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS WITH MCC | 981 | $319,851 | $159,925 | — | 8.3x |
| PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITH MCC | 242 | $192,644 | $96,322 | — | 8.3x |
| SEIZURES WITH MCC | 100 | $116,480 | $58,240 | — | 8.1x |
| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH MCC | 286 | $132,932 | $66,466 | — | 8.1x |
| DEGENERATIVE NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS WITH MCC | 056 | $106,265 | $53,132 | — | 8.1x |
| CRANIOTOMY AND ENDOVASCULAR INTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 026 | $167,140 | $83,570 | — | 8.1x |
| TRANSIENT ISCHEMIA WITHOUT THROMBOLYTIC | 069 | $48,223 | $24,112 | — | 8.1x |
| OTHER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH MCC | 393 | $98,100 | $49,050 | — | 8.1x |
| DISORDERS OF PANCREAS EXCEPT MALIGNANCY WITH MCC | 438 | $100,066 | $50,033 | — | 8.1x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITHOUT MCC | 247 | $112,299 | $56,150 | — | 8x |
| PULMONARY EDEMA AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE | 189 | $74,941 | $37,470 | — | 8x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH CC | 281 | $58,354 | $29,177 | — | 7.9x |
| OTHER CIRCULATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH CC | 315 | $59,468 | $29,734 | — | 7.8x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITH MCC OR 4+ ARTERIES O | 246 | $169,307 | $84,653 | — | 7.8x |
| PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITH CC | 243 | $128,761 | $64,380 | — | 7.8x |
| OTHER DISORDERS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH CC | 092 | $58,039 | $29,019 | — | 7.8x |
| MAJOR CHEST PROCEDURES WITH MCC | 163 | $258,533 | $129,266 | — | 7.6x |
| OTHER KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES WITH CC | 699 | $60,492 | $30,246 | — | 7.6x |
| MISCELLANEOUS DISORDERS OF NUTRITION, METABOLISM, FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES WITHOUT MCC | 641 | $42,358 | $21,179 | — | 7.6x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH MCC | 064 | $100,979 | $50,490 | — | 7.5x |
| SIMPLE PNEUMONIA AND PLEURISY WITH MCC | 193 | $78,995 | $39,497 | — | 7.5x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITHOUT MCC | 206 | $51,541 | $25,771 | — | 7.5x |
| OTHER KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC | 698 | $101,575 | $50,788 | — | 7.5x |
| SEIZURES WITHOUT MCC | 101 | $48,588 | $24,294 | — | 7.5x |
| ENDOVASCULAR CARDIAC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT PROCEDURES WITHOUT MCC | 267 | $315,120 | $157,560 | — | 7.5x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITH MCC | 444 | $100,770 | $50,385 | — | 7.5x |
Showing 50 of 111 procedures
How Baylor St Lukes Medical Center compares to nearby hospitals
Comparison based on average markup ratios from federal hospital pricing data (FY 2024). Chargemaster rates are gross charges — they are not what most insured patients pay. Actual costs depend on your insurance plan, negotiated rates, and coverage terms. This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Verify costs directly with your provider and insurer.
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Pricing data from federal hospital transparency files and physician fee schedules. Last updated: . All data is publicly available under federal law.
FAQ — nonprofit-religious hospital billing
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Data: Federal hospital pricing data, updated annually. All data publicly available under federal law.
Methodology: Hospital gross charges divided by Medicare payment for the same DRG. A ratio of 3.0x means the hospital's listed price is 3 times what Medicare pays. Chargemaster rates are list prices — they are not what most insured patients pay. Grades measure pricing patterns only — not quality of care or clinical performance.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical, financial, or legal advice. Actual costs depend on your insurance and provider. We recommend verifying costs directly with your provider. Full methodology · Terms of use