Surgical pathology level 6 gross & microscopic examination at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center

1000 4th St. SW, Mason City, IA · MercyOne · · NPI 1467537886

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

$445.90

Cash price

?

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.

$686.00

Gross charge

?

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.

$175.62 with HEALTH CHOICES vs $1,745.49 with NOVA — same scan, same building. Share

Negotiated rates by payer
?

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
?

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
?

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
HEALTH CHOICES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $175.62 ↓ -61%
MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $175.62 ↓ -61%
WEBTPA AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
COVENTRY AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
ALLIED BENEFIT SYSTEMS AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
TRUSTMARK SMALL BUSINESS BENEFITS AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
MERITAIN AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
LUCENT HEALTH AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
AETNA EAP AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
AETNA AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
ASR HEALTH BENEFITS AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
1199 NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
FIRST HEALTH AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
LUMINARE HEALTH AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
AETNA DOMESTIC AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
CHRISTIAN BROTHER SERVICES AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
MEDICAL MUTUAL AETNA $360.15 ↓ -19%
PREFERRED ONE PREFERRED ONE $445.90 ↑ +0%
HEALTH PARTNERS HEALTH PARTNERS $458.93 ↑ +3%
MEDICA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
MIDLANDS MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
CIGNA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
CIGNA EAP MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
AUXIANT MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $480.20 ↑ +8%
MHNET MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES $548.80 ↑ +23%
MULTIPLAN MULTIPLAN $617.40 ↑ +38%
IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FOR YOURSELF $686.00 ↑ +54%
CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CRIME VICTIMS $686.00 ↑ +54%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UHC OPTUM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH $686.00 ↑ +54%
GEHA UNITED HEALTHCARE $776.51 ↑ +74%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UNITED HEALTHCARE $776.51 ↑ +74%
IOWA TOTAL CARE IOWA TOTAL CARE MEDICAID $779.57 ↑ +75%
MOLINA MEDICAID MOLINA MEDICAID $787.21 ↑ +77%
WELLPOINT MEDICAID WELLPOINT MEDICAID $790.27 ↑ +77%
BLUE CROSS - NY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - CT (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MS WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
PRE-EMPLOYMENT WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - LA WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - TX WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - SC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MI WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MT WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - RI WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - TN WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - FEDERAL WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - IL ALTERNATE WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CARE NETWORK WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - AZ WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - HI WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK NORTHEASTERN WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
WC DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - AR WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NM WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - ID WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - VT WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
KAISER DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - WA (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - IL WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - VA (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MD (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - ME (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS OF MASSACHUSETTS WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MN WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NE WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - OH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - FL WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - PA (INDEPENDENCE) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - WY WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - KY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - DE (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - ND WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - KS WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - AL WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - WA (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK WESTERN WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NY (EXCELLUS) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - IN (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - PA (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BCN DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BCBS GENERIC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NV (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - OK WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - CA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - AK (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - WV (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE DISTINCTION TRANSPLANT WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - DC (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - MA WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - WI (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - CO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - SD (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - OR (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - NJ (HORIZON) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - PA (CAPITAL) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - GA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - VA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - UT (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE SHIELD - CA WELLMARK PPO $823.13 ↑ +85%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK HMO $823.13 ↑ +85%
MEDIGOLD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MERCYONE HEALTH PLAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $851.03 ↑ +91%
AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $851.03 ↑ +91%
MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $851.03 ↑ +91%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLMARK MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $859.54 ↑ +93%
SOUTH COUNTRY HEALTH ALLIANCE MEDICARE SOUTH COUNTRY MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $868.05 ↑ +95%
UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $868.05 ↑ +95%
HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE UNITYPOINT HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADV $877.09 ↑ +97%
WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $885.77 ↑ +99%
CENTIVO CENTIVO $1,068.13 ↑ +140%
OSCAR OSCAR $1,144.64 ↑ +157%
AMISH HOSPITAL AID AMISH HOSPITAL AID $1,154.97 ↑ +159%
AMBETTER AMBETTER MARKETPLACE $1,458.91 ↑ +227%
CLAIMDOC CLAIMDOC $1,745.49 ↑ +291%
NOVA CLAIMDOC $1,745.49 ↑ +291%

Visitor-reported prices

visitor-reported
Report what you paid sign in to post

Comments

Add a comment sign in to post

Surgical pathology level 6 gross & microscopic examination at other Iowa hospitals

Hospital City Cash price Negotiated range
MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center Davenport $138.00 $104.00 – $781.95
MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque $624.65 $85.84 – $1,609.82
MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center Dyersville $531.05 $308.83 – $919.62
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton $624.65 $271.96 – $1,724.12
MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center Cedar Falls $1,232.40 $445.56 – $1,896.00
MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Elkader $531.05 $420.51 – $853.93
MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center West Des Moines $944.00 $189.74 – $1,564.16
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines $613.60 $189.74 – $1,564.16

All Iowa hospitals for this procedure →