Hospital Charges and Facility Fee Information
Mercy Medical Center is dedicated to helping improve price transparency for hospital services. Starting January 1, 2021, all hospitals are required to provide a list of standard hospital charges. The following detail is provided to help patients better understand the cost of health care services at Mercy. For information on hospital charges, including estimates of key services as well as financial assistance policies, please see the information below.
Our Customer Service team is available to answer any questions at 410-951-1700.
Hospital Charge Information
In Maryland, the average rates for hospital services are regulated by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), a state regulatory agency. The HSCRC sets average hospital rates on January 1 and July 1 every year.
Hospital charges do not include charges for physician services, commonly referred to as professional fees, which are separate from the hospital bill. Though the state sets hospital rates as of a certain date, hospital charges are allowed to fluctuate during the course of the year, and, detailed charges for certain items may be different than the average approved rate that covers a larger group of services. Charges on individual hospital bills may be different than the charges posted here because they change during the course of the year. This is both allowable and normal as hospitals adjust charges frequently to comply with other regulations. Rates are set on average, and the underlying service charges may vary because they are components of that average. Unless otherwise noted, all charges are for both inpatient and outpatient procedures.
- 300 Shoppable Services As of January 1, 2024
- Mercy Medical Center Standard Charges As of July 1, 2024
Facility Fee Disclosure Information
Mercy Medical Center is dedicated to helping improve price transparency for hospital services.
Maryland law now requires all hospitals to discuss facility fees with patients scheduling appointments. There are no new fees and these charges are billed to patients’ health insurance plans.
Hospitals are required by law to charge facility fees. Fees may be higher or lower depending on the services provided. Patients will receive a written estimate prior to appointments in MyChart or via U.S. mail.
Facility charges are billed separately from a physician’s professional fee. Out-of-pocket costs are always determined by individual health insurance plans.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding facility fees. Patients with additional questions about a facility fee may contact Mercy’s customer call center at 410-951-1700, which is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Facility Fees by Clinical Department
A list by clinic type of the minimum and average facility fees charged to your health insurance plan can be found here.
Are hospital facility fees a new type of charge?
No, this is not a new type of charge. There are two types of fees that make up a medical bill, a physician fee and a facility fee. In a non-hospital setting, these fees are billed together. In a hospital setting they are required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) to be billed separately. Maryland law now requires facility fee estimates be provided at the time of scheduling an outpatient clinic appointment.
Why do hospitals charge a facility fee?
Hospitals charge a facility fee to cover the costs involved in providing routine and emergency services at that location, including supplies, special equipment, exam rooms, nurses, and support staff. A hospital facility fee is separate from and charged in addition to the fee billed by your doctor for the professional services provided during the visit. In a non-hospital setting, these fees are billed together.
What does the new facility fee disclosure law require?
Effective July 1, 2021, all Maryland hospitals are required to provide patients with a facility fee estimate, range of fees, and certain other information at the time outpatient clinic visits are scheduled in an effort to improve transparency for patients. Patients scheduling appointments in-person or by phone will receive facility fee information verbally and a written copy will also be sent to the patient’s MyChart Mercy account or by mail for patients without MyChart. For appointments scheduled through MyChart, facility fee information will be provided through MyChart.
How are facility fee estimates calculated?
At the time an appointment is scheduled, Mercy will provide patients with a facility fee estimate, which is based on the average fees for similar visits. The facility fee estimate does not include the doctor’s professional charges or other services like minor surgical procedures, X-rays, labs, injections, and other treatments. The actual facility fee a patient is charged will depend on the duration of the patient’s visit and the particular services received during the outpatient clinic visit. Visits that require expensive supplies or equipment will generally result in a higher facility fee.
Am I responsible for paying the full facility fee or will my insurance cover it?
As a reminder, there are no new fees and there is no change to how facility fees are billed to your insurance company. The amount of the facility fee that a patient will be responsible for paying out-of-pocket will depend on the patient’s insurance coverage. Patients can contact their insurance company to determine their estimated financial responsibility for a facility fee, including applicable copayments, coinsurance, and deductible amounts.
Are there locations to see my provider where a separate facility fee will not be charged?
Some Mercy physicians offer outpatient services at locations that do not charge a separate facility fee such as Mercy’s Lutherville, Overlea, and Glen Burnie physician office locations. Check with your provider’s office to see if he or she offers services at a non-hospital clinic location. In a non-hospital setting, these fees are billed together.
Who do I contact with questions or for more information?
Mercy has a designated customer service hotline for billing questions, which patients may call to receive additional information about facility fees. The hotline may be reached at 410-951-1700.