Musc Medical Center
MUSC Medical Center in Charleston, SC charges 4.8x the Medicare reimbursement rate across 217 analyzed procedures at this government-owned hospital.
Charleston, SC 29425 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 3/5
About the analyst
Kevin Nyk analyzes hospital pricing data at BillRazor Research. He specializes in Medicare reimbursement patterns and chargemaster pricing across U.S. hospitals. Expertise: hospital pricing, Medicare rates, chargemaster analysis.
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Billing patterns — government
Government hospitals in our dataset demonstrate distinct billing patterns compared to other ownership types. With 374 facilities analyzed, these hospitals show an average markup of 4.2x Medicare rates, which typically falls below the industry average for comparable services. Government hospitals often maintain more standardized pricing structures due to regulatory oversight and public accountability requirements. Patients may encounter charges above the benchmark for certain procedures, though the potential difference between government hospital billing and private facilities can vary significantly by service type and geographic region. Common charge patterns include transparent itemization of services and adherence to established fee schedules. Patients should be aware that government hospitals frequently offer financial assistance programs and sliding scale payment options based on income eligibility. These facilities often provide detailed cost estimates upon request and maintain patient financial counselors to discuss billing arrangements before treatment when possible.
Pricing grade
C
Average
Avg markup vs Medicare
4.79x
Charge / Medicare rate
Max markup
10.93x
Worst procedure
Procedures analyzed
217
With pricing data
Outlier procedures
0.5%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAJOR MALE PELVIC PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 708 | $90,074 | $45,037 | — | 10.9x |
| EXTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 039 | $81,646 | $40,823 | — | 10.7x |
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT | 652 | $236,966 | $118,483 | — | 10.2x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITHOUT CC/MCC | 661 | $74,998 | $37,499 | — | 9x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NEOPLASM WITH CC | 657 | $115,866 | $57,933 | — | 8.1x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH MCC | 205 | $120,338 | $60,169 | — | 8x |
| MAJOR JOINT OR LIMB REATTACHMENT PROCEDURES OF UPPER EXTREMITIES | 483 | $127,746 | $63,873 | — | 7.7x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NEOPLASM WITHOUT CC/MCC | 658 | $99,963 | $49,982 | — | 7.7x |
| UTERINE AND ADNEXA PROCEDURES FOR OVARIAN OR ADNEXAL MALIGNANCY WITH CC | 737 | $132,265 | $66,133 | — | 7.6x |
| HERNIA PROCEDURES EXCEPT INGUINAL AND FEMORAL WITH CC | 354 | $114,220 | $57,110 | — | 7.5x |
| UTERINE AND ADNEXA PROCEDURES FOR NON-MALIGNANCY WITH CC/MCC | 742 | $105,801 | $52,900 | — | 7.1x |
| BACK AND NECK PROCEDURES EXCEPT SPINAL FUSION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 520 | $78,805 | $39,402 | — | 7.1x |
| OTHER MAJOR CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 272 | $127,027 | $63,513 | — | 7x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITH CC | 660 | $76,570 | $38,285 | — | 7x |
| COAGULATION DISORDERS | 813 | $143,319 | $71,660 | — | 7x |
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WITH HEMODIALYSIS WITH MCC | 650 | $262,081 | $131,040 | — | 6.8x |
| OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE O.R. PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 517 | $79,160 | $39,580 | — | 6.7x |
| ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITH MCC | 391 | $71,186 | $35,593 | — | 6.7x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 331 | $89,537 | $44,768 | — | 6.7x |
| BACK AND NECK PROCEDURES EXCEPT SPINAL FUSION WITH CC | 519 | $116,564 | $58,282 | — | 6.6x |
| PERITONEAL ADHESIOLYSIS WITH CC | 336 | $111,072 | $55,536 | — | 6.6x |
| LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITHOUT CC/MCC | 419 | $71,583 | $35,792 | — | 6.5x |
| TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH CC | 012 | $232,603 | $116,302 | — | 6.5x |
| MAJOR CHEST PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 165 | $95,935 | $47,968 | — | 6.5x |
| MAJOR BLADDER PROCEDURES WITH CC | 654 | $168,096 | $84,048 | — | 6.4x |
| SEIZURES WITHOUT MCC | 101 | $44,858 | $22,429 | — | 6.3x |
| OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 254 | $89,011 | $44,505 | — | 6.2x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 236 | $197,744 | $98,872 | — | 6.2x |
| SPINAL FUSION EXCEPT CERVICAL WITHOUT MCC | 460 | $189,541 | $94,770 | — | 6.2x |
| LOWER EXTREMITY AND HUMERUS PROCEDURES EXCEPT HIP, FOOT AND FEMUR WITHOUT CC/MCC | 494 | $91,869 | $45,934 | — | 6.2x |
| VENTRICULAR SHUNT PROCEDURES WITH CC | 032 | $87,188 | $43,594 | — | 6x |
| STOMACH, ESOPHAGEAL AND DUODENAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 328 | $74,544 | $37,272 | — | 5.9x |
| CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 473 | $122,623 | $61,311 | — | 5.9x |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC | 481 | $98,294 | $49,147 | — | 5.8x |
| OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE O.R. PROCEDURES WITH CC | 516 | $99,369 | $49,685 | — | 5.8x |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH MCC | 480 | $172,495 | $86,247 | — | 5.7x |
| O.R. PROCEDURES FOR OBESITY WITHOUT CC/MCC | 621 | $67,126 | $33,563 | — | 5.7x |
| AORTIC AND HEART ASSIST PROCEDURES EXCEPT PULSATION BALLOON WITHOUT MCC | 269 | $220,245 | $110,122 | — | 5.6x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 330 | $108,285 | $54,142 | — | 5.6x |
| CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION WITH CC | 472 | $136,845 | $68,422 | — | 5.5x |
| URINARY STONES WITHOUT MCC | 694 | $33,285 | $16,643 | — | 5.5x |
| PERCUTANEOUS AND OTHER INTRACARDIAC PROCEDURES WITH MCC | 273 | $165,203 | $82,602 | — | 5.5x |
| CRANIOTOMY AND ENDOVASCULAR INTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 027 | $107,723 | $53,861 | — | 5.5x |
| MAJOR HEAD AND NECK PROCEDURES WITH CC | 141 | $114,315 | $57,157 | — | 5.5x |
| MAJOR HIP AND KNEE JOINT REPLACEMENT OR REATTACHMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY WITHOUT MCC | 470 | $84,565 | $42,283 | — | 5.5x |
| OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH CC | 253 | $133,094 | $66,547 | — | 5.5x |
| NERVOUS SYSTEM NEOPLASMS WITH MCC | 054 | $55,782 | $27,891 | — | 5.5x |
| ECMO OR TRACHEOSTOMY WITH MV >96 HOURS OR PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS EXCEPT FACE, MOUTH AND NEC | 003 | $888,692 | $444,346 | — | 5.5x |
| BIOPSIES OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE WITH CC | 478 | $92,590 | $46,295 | — | 5.4x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITH CC | 445 | $51,078 | $25,539 | — | 5.4x |
Showing 50 of 217 procedures
How MUSC 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.
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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