University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston

University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston charges 3.5x the Medicare reimbursement rate across 106 analyzed procedures, representing typical pricing for a government-owned hospital in Galveston, TX.

Galveston, TX 77555 · Acute Care Hospitals · CMS Rating: 3/5

By Priya Iyengar , Senior Billing Analyst · Published March 15, 2026 · Updated April 3, 2026

Data from CMS files published FY 2024 CMS IPPS. Refreshed weekly.

About the analyst

Priya Iyengar leads the billing code review team at BillRazor Research. She analyzes NCCI bundling edits, DRG coding, and regional rate variation. Expertise: NCCI bundling, DRG analysis, regional pricing.

106 procedures analyzed

CMS price transparency data

Updated 2026-04-03

3.5x

Medicare markup ratio

TX lowestUniversity of Texas Me...TX highest

3.5x

Avg markup ratio

3.3x

Median markup

106

Procedures

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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

Average

Avg markup vs Medicare

3.52x

Charge / Medicare rate

Max markup

11.3x

Worst procedure

Procedures analyzed

106

With pricing data

Outlier procedures

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	$316,527	$158,263	—	11.3x
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WITH HEMODIALYSIS WITH MCC	650	$345,096	$172,548	—	8.2x
CHEMOTHERAPY WITHOUT ACUTE LEUKEMIA AS SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS WITH CC	847	$51,317	$25,659	—	8.1x
MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITHOUT CC/MCC	331	$63,947	$31,974	—	5.7x
LOWER EXTREMITY AND HUMERUS PROCEDURES EXCEPT HIP, FOOT AND FEMUR WITH CC	493	$112,058	$56,029	—	5.7x
OTHER MAJOR CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH CC	271	$143,901	$71,950	—	5.5x
PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITHOUT MCC	247	$86,771	$43,385	—	5.5x
CRANIOTOMY AND ENDOVASCULAR INTRACRANIAL PROCEDURES WITH MCC	025	$189,736	$94,868	—	5.4x
MAJOR CHEST TRAUMA WITH CC	184	$46,617	$23,308	—	4.9x
TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA <1 HOUR WITH MCC	085	$123,393	$61,697	—	4.8x
HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITHOUT MCC	522	$88,432	$44,216	—	4.8x
RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC	812	$41,890	$20,945	—	4.7x
MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH CC	330	$102,123	$51,061	—	4.7x
INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH CC OR TPA IN 24 HOURS	065	$45,737	$22,868	—	4.7x
CARDIAC VALVE AND OTHER MAJOR CARDIOTHORACIC PROCEDURES WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION	219	$334,572	$167,286	—	4.6x
INFECTIOUS AND PARASITIC DISEASES WITH O.R. PROCEDURES WITH MCC	853	$182,641	$91,321	—	4.6x
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS WITH CC	300	$40,168	$20,084	—	4.6x
ENDOVASCULAR CARDIAC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT PROCEDURES WITHOUT MCC	267	$200,912	$100,456	—	4.5x
PERCUTANEOUS CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENT WITH MCC OR 4+ ARTERIES O	246	$120,573	$60,286	—	4.4x
CORONARY BYPASS WITHOUT CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC	236	$142,343	$71,172	—	4.3x
BRONCHITIS AND ASTHMA WITH CC/MCC	202	$34,069	$17,034	—	4.3x
OTHER MAJOR CARDIOVASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH MCC	270	$210,764	$105,382	—	4.2x
OTHER KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES WITH CC	699	$42,908	$21,454	—	4.2x
CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITHOUT MCC	287	$40,887	$20,443	—	4.2x
PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITH CC	243	$90,515	$45,258	—	4.2x
LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITHOUT C.D.E. WITH CC	418	$61,687	$30,844	—	4.2x
GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE WITH CC	378	$37,200	$18,600	—	4x
PERCUTANEOUS AND OTHER INTRACARDIAC PROCEDURES WITH MCC	273	$147,220	$73,610	—	4x
HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH MCC	480	$107,330	$53,665	—	4x
PERMANENT CARDIAC PACEMAKER IMPLANT WITH MCC	242	$135,417	$67,708	—	4x
HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC	481	$79,227	$39,614	—	4x
COMPLICATIONS OF TREATMENT WITH MCC	919	$57,235	$28,618	—	3.9x
RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITH MCC	811	$50,382	$25,191	—	3.9x
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS WITH VENTILATOR SUPPORT <=96 HOURS	208	$88,732	$44,366	—	3.8x
INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE OR CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH MCC	064	$69,794	$34,897	—	3.8x
HIP REPLACEMENT WITH PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HIP FRACTURE WITH MCC	521	$101,145	$50,572	—	3.7x
DIABETES WITH MCC	637	$47,025	$23,512	—	3.7x
MAJOR SMALL AND LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES WITH MCC	329	$140,122	$70,061	—	3.6x
ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH CC	281	$31,851	$15,926	—	3.6x
RESPIRATORY NEOPLASMS WITH MCC	180	$63,073	$31,536	—	3.5x
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND CONDUCTION DISORDERS WITH MCC	308	$38,033	$19,016	—	3.5x
EXTENSIVE O.R. PROCEDURES UNRELATED TO PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS WITH MCC	981	$159,182	$79,591	—	3.5x
PULMONARY EDEMA AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE	189	$41,177	$20,588	—	3.5x
OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES WITH MCC	252	$103,574	$51,787	—	3.5x
GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE WITH MCC	377	$55,783	$27,891	—	3.4x
CIRCULATORY DISORDERS EXCEPT AMI, WITH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION WITH MCC	286	$65,691	$32,846	—	3.4x
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA AND CONDUCTION DISORDERS WITH CC	309	$24,708	$12,354	—	3.4x
TRAUMATIC STUPOR AND COMA >1 HOUR WITH MCC	082	$72,115	$36,057	—	3.4x
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH MCC	190	$34,933	$17,466	—	3.4x
ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE WITH MCC	280	$49,414	$24,707	—	3.3x

Showing 50 of 106 procedures

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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 — government hospital billing

How do government hospital billing rates compare to Medicare benchmarks?

Based on available data from 374 government hospitals, charges average 4.2 times the Medicare benchmark rates. Government hospitals, while publicly owned, still establish their own pricing structures that can result in charges above standard Medicare rates.

Why do government hospitals charge above Medicare rates if they're publicly owned?

Government hospitals operate as independent entities that must cover operational costs, equipment, and staffing expenses. Public ownership doesn't require hospitals to limit charges to Medicare benchmark levels, as they still need to maintain financial sustainability for continued operations.

What should I expect when reviewing a government hospital bill?

Government hospital bills typically show charges that may be several times higher than Medicare benchmark rates, with the average markup being approximately 4.2x across sampled facilities. The final amount you pay will depend on your insurance coverage, negotiated rates, and any applicable financial assistance programs.

Are there potential billing differences between government hospitals and other facility types?

Government hospitals show similar billing patterns to other hospital types, with charges typically set above Medicare benchmarks. The potential difference in what patients ultimately pay often depends more on individual insurance plans and hospital financial assistance policies than on the ownership structure of the facility.

Related pricing data

TX hospital rankingsCompare all hospitals in TX

Galveston, TX 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