About CareCostIndex
CareCostIndex is an independent cost-transparency project for healthcare consumers. We compile publicly available pricing data, combine it with published payer and industry benchmarks, and present the result in plain-language pages so that patients, caregivers, and researchers can compare the expected cost of care across U.S. states, major cities, and 16 countries.
Why we built this
Healthcare pricing in the United States is notoriously opaque. A procedure that costs $700 at an in-network surgery center can cost $4,500 at a hospital across town. Uninsured and underinsured patients are routinely charged several multiples of the negotiated rate paid by commercial plans. The federal No Surprises Act and Hospital Price Transparency rule have made more data public, but the raw files are difficult to read and rarely surface when someone searches for “how much does an MRI cost in Ohio?” CareCostIndex exists to close that gap. Our goal is for a patient facing an upcoming procedure to be able to set a realistic expectation in under a minute.
What we cover
- 116 medical procedures — from common imaging (MRI, CT, mammogram) to major surgeries (knee replacement, hip replacement, appendectomy), dental work, vision correction, fertility, and more.
- 50 U.S. states plus major metro areas — state-level averages and city-level detail where data is available.
- Elder care — nursing home, assisted living, and in-home care monthly costs.
- Mental health and therapy — individual, couples, family, and group session rates.
- Birth and delivery — vaginal and cesarean costs with and without insurance.
- International comparison — baseline costs in 16 countries for travelers and expats.
How we source data
We draw on public datasets from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state price transparency disclosures published by hospitals under the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the Genworth Cost of Care Survey (for elder-care figures), and professional association surveys (for example, the American Academy of Dermatology). We combine these with widely cited industry benchmarks to produce an averaged national figure and a state-level adjustment. For full details — including how we calculate averages, what we include and exclude, and known limitations — see our methodology page.
Editorial standards
Cost ranges on CareCostIndex are reviewed by an in-house editorial team before publication. We do not accept payment or promotional consideration from providers, hospitals, insurers, or manufacturers in exchange for coverage or placement. Where advertising is displayed, it is supplied by Google AdSense and is clearly marked.
Every procedure page includes a last-reviewed date and, where applicable, an explicit data source. If you find information that appears out of date or inconsistent with what a provider has told you, please let us know — reader corrections are the single most important input to the next revision.
What we are not
CareCostIndex is not a provider of medical advice, a booking platform, a price-quote tool, or an insurance broker. We do not sell your information, and we do not have a clinical relationship with you. See our medical disclaimer for the full scope note.
Contact
Editorial feedback, data corrections, press inquiries, and partnership questions: email info@carecostindex.com or use the contact form.