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Essentia Health St Marys - Detroit Lakes

Essentia Health St Marys - Detroit Lakes charges 1.9x the Medicare reimbursement rate across analyzed procedures, positioning this Detroit Lakes nonprofit-religious hospital below many regional pricing benchmarks.

Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 4/5

By Elena Vasquez , Medical Billing Research Lead · ·
Data from CMS files published FY 2024 CMS IPPS. Refreshed weekly.
About the analyst

Elena Vasquez leads hospital billing pattern analysis at BillRazor Research. She focuses on identifying overcharges, markup outliers, and patient advocacy strategies. Expertise: hospital billing patterns, overcharge analysis, patient advocacy.

10 procedures analyzed
CMS price transparency data
Updated 2026-04-03
Median 3.0x1.0x15.0x
1.9x
Medicare markup ratio
MN lowestEssentia Health St Mar...MN highest
1.9x
Avg markup ratio
1.9x
Median markup
10
Procedures
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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

A

Excellent

Avg markup vs Medicare

1.92x

Charge / Medicare rate

Max markup

2.5x

Worst procedure

Procedures analyzed

10

With pricing data

Outlier procedures

0%

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.

ProcedureCodeGross chargeCash priceMedicareMarkup
ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC392$17,243$8,622—2.5x
INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS065$22,716$11,358—2.4x
KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS WITHOUT MCC690$15,484$7,742—2.1x
RENAL FAILURE WITH CC683$13,658$6,829—2x
HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC481$40,445$20,222—1.9x
SIMPLE PNEUMONIA AND PLEURISY WITH MCC193$22,942$11,471—1.8x
PULMONARY EDEMA AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE189$20,866$10,433—1.8x
HEART FAILURE AND SHOCK WITH MCC291$21,676$10,838—1.7x
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATIONS WITH MCC177$25,220$12,610—1.5x
SEPTICEMIA OR SEVERE SEPSIS WITHOUT MV >96 HOURS WITH MCC871$27,363$13,681—1.4x

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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.
Rates shown are from the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and CMS IPPS. BillRazor compares your bill against these data sources. See how it works →

FAQ — nonprofit-religious hospital billing

How do nonprofit religious hospital charges compare to Medicare rates?
Data shows that 203 nonprofit religious hospitals have an average markup of 5.4 times Medicare rates for similar services. These hospitals operate under religious organizational structures while maintaining nonprofit tax status, which provides context for their billing practices and pricing structures.
What does a 5.4x Medicare markup mean for my medical bills?
A 5.4x markup means these hospitals typically charge 5.4 times what Medicare would pay for the same service. For example, if Medicare pays $1,000 for a procedure, the hospital's standard charge would average $5,400, though your actual out-of-pocket costs depend on your insurance coverage and negotiated rates.
Are nonprofit religious hospitals required to offer financial assistance?
Yes, nonprofit hospitals including religious institutions must provide charity care and financial assistance programs as a condition of their tax-exempt status. These hospitals are required to have written financial assistance policies and must make them publicly available, though the specific terms and eligibility requirements vary by institution.
How can I find out the actual charges at a specific nonprofit religious hospital?
Nonprofit hospitals are required to publish their standard charges online, typically called a 'chargemaster' or price transparency list. You can also request a good faith estimate before receiving services, which may show potential differences between standard charges and what you might actually pay based on your insurance coverage.

Related pricing data

MN hospital rankingsCompare all hospitals in MN
Detroit Lakes, MN costsCity-level pricing data

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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

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