University of California Davis Medical Center
University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento charges 7.3x the Medicare reimbursement rate on average, with 78% of its 191 analyzed procedures showing significant price variations.
Sacramento, CA 95817 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 3/5
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 — 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
7.3x
Charge / Medicare rate
Max markup
11.2x
Worst procedure
Procedures analyzed
191
With pricing data
Outlier procedures
78%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITH CC | 418 | $245,061 | $122,531 | — | 11.2x |
| FRACTURES OF HIP AND PELVIS WITHOUT MCC | 536 | $102,029 | $51,015 | — | 11.2x |
| DIABETES WITH CC | 638 | $101,922 | $50,961 | — | 11.1x |
| CRANIAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 074 | $135,176 | $67,588 | — | 10.8x |
| PERITONEAL ADHESIOLYSIS WITH CC | 336 | $310,424 | $155,212 | — | 10.8x |
| GASTROINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION WITH CC | 389 | $100,387 | $50,194 | — | 10.8x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 331 | $223,959 | $111,980 | — | 10.5x |
| MAJOR HEAD AND NECK PROCEDURES WITH CC | 141 | $280,815 | $140,407 | — | 10.4x |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC | 481 | $273,720 | $136,860 | — | 10.3x |
| OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE O.R. PROCEDURES WITH CC | 516 | $281,098 | $140,549 | — | 10.2x |
| MAJOR CHEST PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC | 165 | $227,949 | $113,974 | — | 10.1x |
| SKIN GRAFT EXCEPT FOR SKIN ULCER OR CELLULITIS WITH CC | 577 | $340,792 | $170,396 | — | 10x |
| NONSPECIFIC CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS WITH CC | 071 | $131,307 | $65,653 | — | 9.9x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC | 236 | $534,728 | $267,364 | — | 9.7x |
| LOWER EXTREMITY AND HUMERUS PROCEDURES EXCEPT HIP, FOOT AND FEMUR WITH CC | 493 | $301,668 | $150,834 | — | 9.6x |
| KIDNEY AND URETER PROCEDURES FOR NON-NEOPLASM WITH CC | 660 | $148,376 | $74,188 | — | 9.6x |
| RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 812 | $108,079 | $54,040 | — | 9.6x |
| KIDNEY TRANSPLANT | 652 | $351,742 | $175,871 | — | 9.5x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITH CC | 083 | $156,112 | $78,056 | — | 9.4x |
| MEDICAL BACK PROBLEMS WITHOUT MCC | 552 | $109,732 | $54,866 | — | 9.4x |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH CC | 281 | $103,095 | $51,547 | — | 9.3x |
| PATHOLOGICAL FRACTURES AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE MALIGNANCY WITH CC | 543 | $126,247 | $63,123 | — | 9.3x |
| FRACTURE, SPRAIN, STRAIN AND DISLOCATION EXCEPT FEMUR, HIP, PELVIS AND THIGH WITHOUT MCC | 563 | $90,460 | $45,230 | — | 9.3x |
| PATHOLOGICAL FRACTURES AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE MALIGNANCY WITH MCC | 542 | $295,633 | $147,816 | — | 9.2x |
| CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH MCC | 235 | $728,165 | $364,082 | — | 9.1x |
| ESOPHAGITIS, GASTROENTERITIS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIGESTIVE DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 392 | $84,843 | $42,421 | — | 8.9x |
| MISCELLANEOUS DISORDERS OF NUTRITION, METABOLISM, FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES WITHOUT MCC | 641 | $85,454 | $42,727 | — | 8.9x |
| MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH CC | 330 | $271,245 | $135,623 | — | 8.9x |
| MAJOR HIP AND KNEE JOINT REPLACEMENT OR REATTACHMENT OF LOWER EXTREMITY WITHOUT MCC | 470 | $229,531 | $114,766 | — | 8.8x |
| OTHER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH MCC | 205 | $190,757 | $95,378 | — | 8.8x |
| FEVER AND INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS | 864 | $92,262 | $46,131 | — | 8.8x |
| GASTROINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION WITH MCC | 388 | $161,575 | $80,788 | — | 8.8x |
| BACK AND NECK PROCEDURES EXCEPT SPINAL FUSION WITH CC | 519 | $224,560 | $112,280 | — | 8.8x |
| INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS | 065 | $110,545 | $55,273 | — | 8.7x |
| CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH CC | 191 | $73,969 | $36,984 | — | 8.7x |
| MAJOR CHEST TRAUMA WITH CC | 184 | $111,832 | $55,916 | — | 8.7x |
| MAJOR JOINT OR LIMB REATTACHMENT PROCEDURES OF UPPER EXTREMITIES | 483 | $290,708 | $145,354 | — | 8.7x |
| OTHER SKIN, SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND BREAST PROCEDURES WITH CC | 580 | $195,292 | $97,646 | — | 8.7x |
| MAJOR CHEST PROCEDURES WITH CC | 164 | $280,039 | $140,019 | — | 8.6x |
| MISCELLANEOUS DISORDERS OF NUTRITION, METABOLISM, FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES WITH MCC | 640 | $141,255 | $70,627 | — | 8.5x |
| COMPLICATIONS OF TREATMENT WITH MCC | 919 | $239,597 | $119,799 | — | 8.5x |
| HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITHOUT MCC | 522 | $233,723 | $116,861 | — | 8.5x |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH MCC | 480 | $375,518 | $187,759 | — | 8.5x |
| OTHER DISORDERS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH CC | 092 | $101,905 | $50,952 | — | 8.4x |
| OTHER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DIAGNOSES WITH CC | 394 | $106,098 | $53,049 | — | 8.4x |
| CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH MCC | 190 | $114,141 | $57,070 | — | 8.4x |
| HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITH MCC | 521 | $324,104 | $162,052 | — | 8.4x |
| TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITHOUT CC/MCC | 084 | $86,058 | $43,029 | — | 8.3x |
| PULMONARY EMBOLISM WITHOUT MCC | 176 | $82,052 | $41,026 | — | 8.3x |
| CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION WITH CC | 472 | $314,030 | $157,015 | — | 8.2x |
Showing 50 of 191 procedures
How UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS 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 — government 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