Prices at 3 hospitals in Bakersfield, CA, from their machine-readable files. Here the median cash price is $256 — 12% below the US median ($291), roughly 7.1× the Medicare rate.
Lowest cash prices
| Hospital | Location | Cash | Insurer | CMS rating | ER wait | Readmit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern Medical Center | Bakersfield, CA | $218 | $57 | ★ 1/5 | 306 min | — |
| Mercy Hospital | Bakersfield, CA | $256 | $154 | ★ 3/5 | 193 min | — |
| Bakersfield Memorial Hospital | Bakersfield, CA | $257 | $135 | ★ 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 $256 — about 7.1× the Medicare rate ($36). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($72).
💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $693 list price could save about $437 (63%).
Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.
All X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine) prices in California → · All X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine) prices (national) · All hospitals in Bakersfield