Cervical Spine Fusion: What It Costs and What's Fair
CPT 22551 · Medicare rate: $1,605 · National avg charge: $14,678 · BillKarma data from 207 providers
Reviewed 2026-04-04 · Pricing data year: 2026
Estimates assume 20% coinsurance after deductible. Actual costs depend on your plan's negotiated rates, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. .
Your Insurance Plan
Cervical Spine Fusion (CPT 22551) is a surgical procedure typically performed in a hospital or accredited outpatient surgical center. It is usually recommended after more conservative treatments—such as medication or physical therapy—have not resolved the underlying problem. Recovery time ranges from a few days to several weeks depending on patient health and procedure complexity.
Cost by Billing Grade
| Grade | Avg Hospital Charge | Medicare Rate | Est. Patient Cost* | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | $6,023 | $1,605 | $1,205 | 26 |
| D | $4,333 | $1,605 | $867 | 3 |
| F | $14,078 | $1,605 | $2,816 | 58 |
| N/A | $17,101 | $1,605 | $3,420 | 120 |
*Estimated patient cost assumes 20% coinsurance after deductible is met. Actual cost depends on your specific plan, deductible status, and network.
Cost Range Across Hospitals
What This Procedure Typically Costs by Facility Type
Find Providers Near You for This Procedure
Showing 10 lowest-markup providers nationally across hospitals, surgery centers, and imaging centers. Enter ZIP code to compare local providers side by side.
| Provider | Type | Location | Grade | Charge | Benchmark | Markup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren Northern Michigan | Hospital | Petoskey, MI | N/A | $924 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
0.6x |
| DELL SETON MEDICAL CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS | Hospital | AUSTIN, TX | N/A | $1,037 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
0.6x |
| Charleston Area Medical Center | Hospital | Charleston, WV | N/A | $1,613 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
1.0x |
| McLaren Bay Region | Hospital | Bay City, MI | N/A | $1,682 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
1.0x |
| McLaren Bay Special Care Hospital | Hospital | Bay City, MI | N/A | $1,682 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
1.0x |
| AdventHealth East Orlando | Hospital | Orlando, FL | D | $1,846 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
1.2x |
| McLaren Macomb | Hospital | Mt Clemens, MI | N/A | $3,138 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
2.0x |
| McLaren Lapeer Region | Hospital | Lapeer, MI | N/A | $3,158 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
2.0x |
| McLaren Port Huron | Hospital | Port Huron, MI | N/A | $3,247 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
2.0x |
| Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - College Station | Hospital | College Station, TX | F | $3,338 |
$1,605
Medicare OPPS
|
2.1x |
What Is a Fair Price for This Procedure?
Medicare pays $1,605 for Cervical Spine Fusion (CPT 22551). This rate is set by CMS based on the actual cost of delivering the procedure, including physician time, overhead, and equipment. It's the most reliable national benchmark for what the procedure is worth.
A hospital charging $3,210 (2x Medicare) or less earns an A billing grade — these are the most fairly priced facilities for this procedure. The national average charge is $14,678 (9.1x Medicare).
If your bill shows more than $4,815 (3x Medicare) for this procedure, it may be worth reviewing the charges carefully. Upload your bill to check →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cervical Spine Fusion cost with insurance?
Does where I have Cervical Spine Fusion done affect my recovery?
How do I negotiate the cost of Cervical Spine Fusion if I'm on a high-deductible plan?
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