University of Alabama Hospital
University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham charges 6.7x the Medicare reimbursement rate across 226 analyzed procedures, representing a government-owned facility with relatively consistent pricing patterns.
Birmingham, AL 35233 · 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.
No credit card required. Results in 60 seconds.
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
D
High
Avg markup vs Medicare
6.73x
Charge / Medicare rate
Max markup
14.39x
Worst procedure
Procedures analyzed
226
With pricing data
Outlier procedures
1.3%
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 | $280,349 | $140,175 | — | 14.4x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 066 | $50,293 | $25,146 | — | 13.2x |
| CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH CC | 191 | $75,100 | $37,550 | — | 13x |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE WITHOUT MCC | 556 | $75,650 | $37,825 | — | 11.7x |
| OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC | 964 | $125,129 | $62,565 | — | 11.5x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA <1 HOUR WITH CC | 086 | $102,265 | $51,133 | — | 11.1x |
| EXTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 039 | $72,089 | $36,044 | — | 10.6x |
| LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITH CC | 418 | $92,846 | $46,423 | — | 10.3x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITHOUT CC/MCC | 084 | $75,342 | $37,671 | — | 10.2x |
| OTHER O.R. PROCEDURES FOR MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC | 958 | $211,261 | $105,630 | — | 10.1x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITHOUT MCC | 206 | $57,355 | $28,677 | — | 9.7x |
| PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITHOUT MCC | 247 | $116,784 | $58,392 | — | 9.6x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITH MCC | 082 | $163,099 | $81,550 | — | 9.5x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM O.R. PROCEDURES WITH CC | 167 | $108,883 | $54,442 | — | 9.3x |
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WITH HEMODIALYSIS WITH MCC | 650 | $352,043 | $176,021 | — | 9.2x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH MCC | 205 | $119,270 | $59,635 | — | 9.1x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITH CC | 083 | $86,546 | $43,273 | — | 9.1x |
| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 287 | $78,768 | $39,384 | — | 9x |
| SOFT TISSUE PROCEDURES WITH CC | 501 | $120,858 | $60,429 | — | 8.9x |
| INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE WITH MCC | 196 | $112,610 | $56,305 | — | 8.9x |
| MEDICAL BACK PROBLEMS WITH MCC | 551 | $103,930 | $51,965 | — | 8.9x |
| SPINAL PROCEDURES WITH CC OR SPINAL NEUROSTIMULATORS | 029 | $186,003 | $93,002 | — | 8.8x |
| STOMACH, ESOPHAGEAL AND DUODENAL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 327 | $144,318 | $72,159 | — | 8.8x |
| OTHER SKIN, SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND BREAST PROCEDURES WITH CC | 580 | $97,087 | $48,544 | — | 8.6x |
| PNEUMOTHORAX WITH CC | 200 | $65,300 | $32,650 | — | 8.6x |
| OTHER DISORDERS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH CC | 092 | $54,156 | $27,078 | — | 8.5x |
| PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITH CC | 243 | $131,111 | $65,556 | — | 8.5x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NEOPLASM WITHOUT CC/MCC | 658 | $85,071 | $42,536 | — | 8.5x |
| LOWER EXTREMITY AND HUMERUS PROCEDURES EXCEPT HIP, FOOT AND FEMUR WITH CC | 493 | $138,387 | $69,194 | — | 8.4x |
| MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITH MCC | 371 | $104,944 | $52,472 | — | 8.4x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITH CC | 660 | $81,306 | $40,653 | — | 8.3x |
| CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH MCC | 286 | $117,385 | $58,693 | — | 8.3x |
| SPINAL PROCEDURES WITH MCC | 028 | $309,470 | $154,735 | — | 8.3x |
| VENTRICULAR SHUNT PROCEDURES WITH CC | 032 | $108,120 | $54,060 | — | 8.2x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS | 065 | $63,804 | $31,902 | — | 8.2x |
| BACK AND NECK PROCEDURES EXCEPT SPINAL FUSION WITH CC | 519 | $105,601 | $52,800 | — | 8.2x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, EXPIRED WITH MCC | 283 | $142,735 | $71,368 | — | 8.2x |
| DISORDERS OF LIVER EXCEPT MALIGNANCY, CIRRHOSIS OR ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS WITH MCC | 441 | $110,302 | $55,151 | — | 8.2x |
| CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION WITHOUT CC/MCC | 473 | $112,051 | $56,026 | — | 8.1x |
| CELLULITIS WITH MCC | 602 | $73,458 | $36,729 | — | 8.1x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH CC | 281 | $58,527 | $29,264 | — | 8x |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC | 481 | $118,157 | $59,078 | — | 8x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH MCC | 064 | $115,318 | $57,659 | — | 7.9x |
| NEUROLOGICAL EYE DISORDERS | 123 | $46,438 | $23,219 | — | 7.9x |
| OTHER O.R. PROCEDURES FOR INJURIES WITH CC | 908 | $100,584 | $50,292 | — | 7.9x |
| FRACTURES OF HIP AND PELVIS WITHOUT MCC | 536 | $47,723 | $23,862 | — | 7.9x |
| CHEMOTHERAPY WITHOUT ACUTE LEUKEMIA AS SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS WITH CC | 847 | $65,142 | $32,571 | — | 7.8x |
| OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE O.R. PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 517 | $66,436 | $33,218 | — | 7.8x |
| DISORDERS OF THE BILIARY TRACT WITH MCC | 444 | $95,913 | $47,957 | — | 7.8x |
| PULMONARY EMBOLISM WITHOUT MCC | 176 | $49,980 | $24,990 | — | 7.8x |
Showing 50 of 226 procedures
How UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HOSPITAL 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.
Got a bill from UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HOSPITAL?
Upload your bill and our AI compares every line item against these benchmark prices. Free analysis in 60 seconds. You only pay if we find savings.
Pricing data from federal hospital transparency files and physician fee schedules. Last updated: . All data is publicly available under federal law.
FAQ — government hospital billing
How do government hospital billing rates compare to Medicare benchmarks?
Why do government hospitals charge above Medicare rates if they're publicly owned?
What should I expect when reviewing a government hospital bill?
Are there potential billing differences between government hospitals and other facility types?
Related pricing data
Got a bill from University of Alabama Hospital?
Free guides to help you take action
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