Prices at 3 hospitals in Bakersfield, CA, from their machine-readable files. Here the median cash price is $3,682 — 52% below the US median ($7,668), roughly 2.6× the Medicare rate.
Lowest cash prices
| Hospital | Location | Cash | Insurer | CMS rating | ER wait | Readmit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern Medical Center | Bakersfield, CA | $3,682 | $1,333 | ★ 1/5 | 306 min | — |
CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated September 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.
Price comparison (median)
Typical cash price here is $3,682 — about 2.6× the Medicare rate ($1,410). On the higher side. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($2,821).
💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $4,602 list price could save about $920 (20%).
Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.
All Neck (cervical) spinal fusion prices in California → · All Neck (cervical) spinal fusion prices (national) · All hospitals in Bakersfield