The survey of 236 hospitals in 24 regions showed that the same procedures — including C-sections, hip and knee replacements and hysterectomies — could cost between two and four times as much depending on the hospital.
The cost discrepancies are puzzling because higher prices don’t necessarily correspond with better patient care or outcomes, regional demographics or health patterns. One possible explanation is that bigger hospital networks can negotiate higher prices with insurance companies.
The six most expensive hospitals are all in the Bay Area, with Alameda and San Mateo counties tying for the highest costs, followed closely by Contra Costa County and San Francisco.
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