Michigan hospitals are committed to ensuring patients have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care.

What is a chargemaster?

The chargemaster is a comprehensive list of billing codes and prices for every item, service or procedure provided by a hospital. Chargemasters include thousands of billing codes, and each hospital develops its own listing based on a number of factors unique to its patients, services and organization. For healthcare consumers, it’s important to remember that the prices listed in the chargemaster may vary from hospital-to-hospital and may not reflect what a patient will ultimately pay. Different patients have different insurance plans and different medical needs, and complex negotiations take place between hospitals and insurance companies to determine the reimbursement amount required from the patient, the insurance company or other responsible parties.

Why is this available online?

Hospitals in the U.S. must now share their chargemasters with the public online, so some Michigan hospitals are sharing them on VerifyMICare. Michigan hospitals are also working on updates to VerifyMICare to add information about hospital pricing that is likely to be more helpful to patients than a chargemaster.

Why can’t I find my hospital’s chargemaster on VerifyMICare?

Most hospitals have posted their chargemasters on their own websites, so not every chargemaster will be available on VerifyMICare. Visit your hospital’s website or contact your hospital to get more information.

How can I better understand my cost of care?

Hospitals care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. If you have insurance, your insurance provider can help you estimate costs for a procedure or treatment. If you do not have insurance, talk to your physician or hospital for more information about charity care, payment plans or public assistance programs you may qualify for.