Prices at 3 hospitals in Bakersfield, CA, from their machine-readable files. Here the median cash price is $1,881 — 14% below the US median ($2,176), roughly 6.9× the Medicare rate.
Lowest cash prices
| Hospital | Location | Cash | Insurer | CMS rating | ER wait | Readmit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern Medical Center | Bakersfield, CA | $984 | $268 | ★ 1/5 | 306 min | — |
| Mercy Hospital | Bakersfield, CA | $1,881 | $891 | ★ 3/5 | 193 min | — |
| Bakersfield Memorial Hospital | Bakersfield, CA | $2,296 | $684 | ★ 3/5 | 240 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 October 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 $1,881 — about 6.9× the Medicare rate ($271). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($542).
💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $6,188 list price could save about $4,307 (70%).
Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.
All MRI of the mid-back (thoracic spine) with contrast prices in California → · All MRI of the mid-back (thoracic spine) with contrast prices (national) · All hospitals in Bakersfield