Hospital Outpatient Prices vs. Physician's Office or Other Community-Based Setting Prices

According to a study from the National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR), average hospital outpatient department prices for common imaging, colonoscopy and laboratory services can be double the price or more for identical services provided in a physician's office or other community-based setting.

The average hospital outpatient department price for a basic colonoscopy, for example, was $1,383 compared to $625 in community settings. For a routine blood test-a comprehensive metabolic panel-the average price in hospital outpatient departments was triple the price-about $37 compared to $13 in community settings.

The average price for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a knee was about $900 in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) compared to about $600 in physician offices or freestanding imaging centers. Likewise, HOPD average prices for physical therapy were much higher than community settings. For example, a 15-minute unit of manual therapy was $58 on average in HOPDs compared to $35 in community settings.

Source: National Institute for Health Care Reform