Northwest Medical Center
Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona charges 11.0x the Medicare reimbursement rate on average across 93 analyzed procedures, with 13% showing particularly high price variations.
Tucson, AZ 85741 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 2/5
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.
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Billing patterns — for-profit
For-profit hospitals in our dataset demonstrate distinct billing patterns, with 628 facilities showing an average markup of 7.8 times Medicare rates. These hospitals typically maintain higher charge structures across most service categories compared to non-profit and government facilities. Common patterns include substantial charges above benchmark rates for emergency services, surgical procedures, and diagnostic imaging. Patients should be aware that initial bills from for-profit hospitals often reflect chargemaster rates rather than negotiated insurance amounts. The billing structure frequently includes separate charges for facility fees, physician services, and ancillary services that may appear as multiple line items. Before receiving care, patients can request cost estimates and inquire about financial assistance programs, which are federally required at all hospital types. Understanding that insurance negotiations typically result in significantly lower actual payments than initial charges can help patients navigate the billing process more effectively when receiving care at for-profit facilities.
Pricing grade
F
Very high
Avg markup vs Medicare
10.97x
Charge / Medicare rate
Max markup
21.62x
Worst procedure
Procedures analyzed
93
With pricing data
Outlier procedures
12.9%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 066 | $73,351 | $36,675 | — | 21.6x |
| MAJOR CHEST PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 165 | $231,171 | $115,585 | — | 19x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITHOUT CC/MCC | 282 | $73,750 | $36,875 | — | 18.8x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NEOPLASM WITHOUT CC/MCC | 658 | $164,340 | $82,170 | — | 18.6x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITHOUT CC/MCC | 661 | $98,859 | $49,430 | — | 17.5x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITHOUT MCC | 247 | $182,305 | $91,152 | — | 16.3x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 331 | $160,430 | $80,215 | — | 15.7x |
| EXTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 039 | $103,437 | $51,719 | — | 15.3x |
| LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITHOUT CC/MCC | 419 | $118,170 | $59,085 | — | 14.8x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH INTRALUMINAL DEVICE WITHOUT MCC | 322 | $171,327 | $85,663 | — | 14.2x |
| LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITH CC | 418 | $139,434 | $69,717 | — | 13.9x |
| STOMACH, ESOPHAGEAL AND DUODENAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 328 | $129,520 | $64,760 | — | 13.6x |
| CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND CONDUCTION DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC | 310 | $38,094 | $19,047 | — | 13.6x |
| O.R. PROCEDURES FOR OBESITY WITHOUT CC/MCC | 621 | $121,803 | $60,902 | — | 13.5x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS | 065 | $75,385 | $37,693 | — | 13.4x |
| PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITHOUT CC/MCC | 244 | $162,032 | $81,016 | — | 13.4x |
| TRANSIENT ISCHEMIA WITHOUT THROMBOLYTIC | 069 | $63,093 | $31,546 | — | 13.4x |
| CARDIAC VALVE AND OTHER MAJOR CARDIOTHORACIC PROCEDURES WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION | 220 | $419,650 | $209,825 | — | 13.1x |
| DISORDERS OF PANCREAS EXCEPT MALIGNANCY WITH CC | 439 | $59,562 | $29,781 | — | 12.9x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH CC | 281 | $70,408 | $35,204 | — | 12.9x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 236 | $342,079 | $171,039 | — | 12.8x |
| CHEST PAIN | 313 | $54,238 | $27,119 | — | 12.7x |
| CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND CONDUCTION DISORDERS WITH CC | 309 | $51,819 | $25,909 | — | 12.5x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITH MCC OR 4+ ARTERIES O | 246 | $247,835 | $123,917 | — | 12.5x |
| GASTROINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 390 | $33,284 | $16,642 | — | 12.5x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION OR OPEN ABLATION WITHOUT MCC | 234 | $410,431 | $205,215 | — | 12.3x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITHOUT CC/MCC | 446 | $53,934 | $26,967 | — | 12.2x |
| RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 812 | $59,703 | $29,852 | — | 12.1x |
| GASTROINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION WITH CC | 389 | $54,941 | $27,470 | — | 12x |
| MISCELLANEOUS DISORDERS OF NUTRITION, METABOLISM, FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES WITHOUT MCC | 641 | $50,260 | $25,130 | — | 11.7x |
| STOMACH, ESOPHAGEAL AND DUODENAL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 327 | $198,002 | $99,001 | — | 11.6x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITH CC | 445 | $72,027 | $36,014 | — | 11.6x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITH CC | 660 | $83,202 | $41,601 | — | 11.5x |
| GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE WITH CC | 378 | $63,902 | $31,951 | — | 11.5x |
| CAROTID ARTERY STENT PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 036 | $118,227 | $59,113 | — | 11.4x |
| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 287 | $70,079 | $35,040 | — | 11.4x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 330 | $170,120 | $85,060 | — | 11.3x |
| KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS WITHOUT MCC | 690 | $53,474 | $26,737 | — | 11.3x |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS WITHOUT MCC | 948 | $53,516 | $26,758 | — | 10.8x |
| MALIGNANCY OF HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM OR PANCREAS WITH MCC | 435 | $121,879 | $60,939 | — | 10.8x |
| MAJOR JOINT OR LIMB REATTACHMENT PROCEDURES OF UPPER EXTREMITIES | 483 | $169,713 | $84,856 | — | 10.7x |
| HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITH MCC | 521 | $199,416 | $99,708 | — | 10.7x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH MCC | 235 | $444,239 | $222,120 | — | 10.6x |
| PULMONARY EMBOLISM WITH MCC OR ACUTE COR PULMONALE | 175 | $86,617 | $43,308 | — | 10.6x |
| ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 392 | $47,750 | $23,875 | — | 10.5x |
| SEIZURES WITHOUT MCC | 101 | $54,774 | $27,387 | — | 10.4x |
| SEPTICEMIA OR SEVERE SEPSIS WITHOUT MV >96 HOURS WITHOUT MCC | 872 | $59,804 | $29,902 | — | 10.4x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITH MCC | 444 | $108,901 | $54,451 | — | 10.4x |
| EXTENSIVE O.R. PROCEDURES UNRELATED TO PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS WITH CC | 982 | $165,916 | $82,958 | — | 10.3x |
| HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITHOUT MCC | 522 | $134,601 | $67,300 | — | 10.3x |
Showing 50 of 93 procedures
How NORTHWEST 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 — for-profit 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