Observation per hour at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center

250 Mercy Drive, Dubuque, IA · MercyOne · · NPI 1659348506

Source: hospital's published price file ↗ · Published Mar 31, 2026 · Ingested Aug 3, 2026

$3,327.61

Cash price

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Discounted cash price

What a hospital charges a self-pay patient who pays directly, without going through insurance — usually well below the gross charge.

Example: A CT scan has a $3,200 gross charge but an $850 discounted cash price. Ask for it by name when scheduling — hospitals don't always advertise it up front.

Full explanation →

What you pay up front if you don't use insurance.

$187.00

Gross charge

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Gross charge (chargemaster price)

The hospital's full, undiscounted list price — pulled from its internal "chargemaster" price list. Almost no one actually pays this.

Example: A chest X-ray has a gross charge of $1,450. The same hospital's discounted cash price for the same X-ray is $180 — the gross charge mostly anchors negotiations, not what patients pay.

Full explanation →

The hospital's undiscounted list price — almost no one pays this.

$2.46 with BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) vs $5,390.00 with UNITED HEALTHCARE — same scan, same building. Share

Negotiated rates by payer
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Negotiated rate

The price a specific insurance plan agreed to pay the hospital for a service — it varies by insurer, and even by plan within the same insurer.

Example: The same knee MRI has a negotiated rate of $904 with one insurer's PPO plan and $1,509 with another's — identical hospital, identical scan.

Full explanation →

Payer
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Payer

The insurance company footing the bill — Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and so on.

Example: "Blue Cross Blue Shield" is the payer. Its negotiated rate for an MRI might be $904, while a different payer's negotiated rate for the same scan is $1,509.

Full explanation →
Plan
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Plan

The specific product an insurer sells — e.g. "Blue Cross PPO 500" — which sets your deductible, coinsurance and negotiated rates.

Example: Two people both insured by Aetna can owe very different amounts for the same MRI: $50 with an HMO plan's flat copay, or the full $1,200 toward a high-deductible PPO plan's unmet deductible.

Full explanation →
Negotiated rate vs. cash
BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
WC DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - WY WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE DISTINCTION TRANSPLANT WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE SHIELD - CA WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK NORTHEASTERN WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
PRE-EMPLOYMENT WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
KAISER DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE SHIELD - WA (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE SHIELD - PA (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BCBS GENERIC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BCN DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS OF MASSACHUSETTS WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CARE NETWORK WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - AK (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - AL WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - AR WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - AZ WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - CA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - CO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - CT (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - DC (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - DE (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - FEDERAL WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - FL WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - GA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - HI WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK HMO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK WESTERN WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - ID WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - IL WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - IL ALTERNATE WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - IN (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - KS WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - KY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - LA WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MA WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MD (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - ME (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MI WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MN WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MS WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - MT WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - ND WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NE WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NJ (HORIZON) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NM WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NV (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - NY (EXCELLUS) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - OH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - OK WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - OR (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - PA (CAPITAL) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - PA (INDEPENDENCE) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - RI WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - SC WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - SD (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - TN WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - TX WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - UT (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - VA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - VA (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - VT WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - WA (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - WI (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
BLUE CROSS - WV (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $2.46 ↓ -100%
STEPHENSON CTY HEALTH STEPHENSON COUNTY HEALTH $10.56 ↓ -100%
PREFERRED HEALTH CHOICE PREFERRED HEALTH CHOICES $32.13 ↓ -99%
HEALTH CHOICES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $32.94 ↓ -99%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE EAGLE WINDOW AND DOOR $52.20 ↓ -98%
WPS WISCONSIN PHYSICIAN SERVICES $53.91 ↓ -98%
THE ALLIANCE THE ALLIANCE $54.37 ↓ -98%
IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FOR YOURSELF $74.50 ↓ -98%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UNITED HEALTHCARE DEERE PREMIER $74.70 ↓ -98%
TRUSTMARK SMALL BUSINESS BENEFITS AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
ASR HEALTH BENEFITS AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
CHRISTIAN BROTHER SERVICES AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
COVENTRY AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
FIRST HEALTH AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
LUCENT HEALTH AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
LUMINARE HEALTH AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
MEDICAL MUTUAL AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
MERITAIN AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
ALLIED BENEFIT SYSTEMS AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
AETNA EAP AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
AETNA DOMESTIC AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
AETNA AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
WEBTPA AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
1199 NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND AETNA $75.15 ↓ -98%
MULTIPLAN MULTIPLAN $81.00 ↓ -98%
MEDICA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
AUXIANT MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
MIDLANDS MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
UNITY UNITY HMO $81.00 ↓ -98%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
CIGNA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
CIGNA EAP MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $81.00 ↓ -98%
CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CRIME VICTIMS $90.00 ↓ -97%
MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $207.21 ↓ -94%
MEDIGOLD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MERCYONE HEALTH PLAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $207.21 ↓ -94%
AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $207.21 ↓ -94%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLMARK MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $209.29 ↓ -94%
UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $211.36 ↓ -94%
HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE UNITYPOINT HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADV $213.56 ↓ -94%
WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $215.67 ↓ -94%
AMISH HOSPITAL AID AMISH HOSPITAL AID $281.22 ↓ -92%
OSCAR OSCAR $288.45 ↓ -91%
CENTIVO CENTIVO $331.12 ↓ -90%
AMBETTER AMBETTER MARKETPLACE $355.22 ↓ -89%
CLAIMDOC CLAIMDOC $425.00 ↓ -87%
NOVA CLAIMDOC $425.00 ↓ -87%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UHC OPTUM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH $460.00 ↓ -86%
MHNET MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES $717.00 ↓ -78%
IOWA TOTAL CARE IOWA TOTAL CARE MEDICAID $2,383.61 ↓ -28%
MOLINA MEDICAID MOLINA MEDICAID $2,406.98 ↓ -28%
WELLPOINT MEDICAID WELLPOINT MEDICAID $2,416.32 ↓ -27%
GEHA UNITED HEALTHCARE $5,390.00 ↑ +62%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UNITED HEALTHCARE $5,390.00 ↑ +62%

Visitor-reported prices

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Observation per hour at other Iowa hospitals

Hospital City Cash price Negotiated range
UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital Dubuque $60.00 $19.14 – $7,461.30
MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center New Hampton $78.65 $42.76 – $108.00
MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center Dyersville $70.20 $40.82 – $121.56
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton $133.90 $30.00 – $3,077.00
MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center Oelwein $97.50 $41.28 – $108.00
MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center Cedar Falls $76.70 $8.46 – $6,171.00
MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Elkader $78.65 $55.59 – $112.88
MercyOne Centerville Medical Center Centerville $150.00 $29.64 – $108.00

All Iowa hospitals for this procedure →