Skin - Consumer Health Ratings

Primary Listings

Acne (MedlinePlus)

MedlinePlus ad-free website on acne. Treatment, medication and skin care for acne

Bed Sores, Pressure Sores (MedlinePlus)

If you prevent Bedsores, you contribute to survival. Also called pressure ulcers at the ad-free MedlinePlus website page. One of the overview articles by the American Academy of Family Physicians describes the four stages of pressure sore development. Caregiving for bedsores is challenging. See the link to Taking Care of Pressure Sores by the University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Cellulitis (MedlinePlus)

Find out about cellulitis infection at the ad-free MedlinePlus website. Learn when to take skin rashes more seriously. Read the overview written by the Mayo Clinic. Also see images of cellulitis.

Dermatology A to Z Glossary (AAD)

Dermatology A to Z is a glossary of terms related to skin conditions, dermatologic procedures and other topics in the field of dermatology. From acne to skin cancers to warts, it’s all here. Published by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Includes videos on special topics. For the public.

Skin Cancer (healthfinder)

Basic steps to prevent skin cancer, by MyHealthfinder. Brief overview of melanoma, moles, prevention. safe sun behavior and more. Some information on basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. From the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Updated July 2022.

Skin Cancer – Melanoma (ACS)

What you need to know about melanoma skin cancer from ACS, the American Cancer Society. Overview and details about melanoma, including risk factors. Great place to start

Average Cost and Hospital Length of Stay for Pressure Ulcers (pdf)

Average estimated cost of a hospital stay primarily for pressure ulcers was $16,800 in 2006. With medical inflation (only), the estimated cost would be about $27,508; charges would be higher (perhaps as much as 4 times higher). Pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers (commonly called bed sores) rose nearly 80% between 1993 and 2006, according to the AHRQ government agency. Pressure sores were often associated with paralysis, spinal cord injury, dementia, diabetes. Over 4.2% of patients admitted for the pressure ulcers died in the hospital. Most pressure ulcer cases however had some Other main reason for being admitted – such as septicemia, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections; 11.6% of these patients died in hospital; average est. cost was over $20,000; over half were discharged to a long-term care facility. Average length of stay was 12.7 to 14.1 days, compared to 5 days for other types of adult admissions. Statistical Brief #64 published December 2008. Caution: publication is quite old, and has not been updated by AHRQ.

Other Helpful Listings

Ambulatory Surgery Average Charges in U.S. Hospitals, 2007

Find average charge for about 80 outpatient ambulatory surgery procedures done in hospitals in 2007 (excluding surgeon’s or other physician fees.) Consumers will need to adjust the 2007 prices for medical inflation, to estimate 2021 costs. Add at least 56% for a rough estimate. Overall average was $6,100, compared to nearly $40,000 for inpatient surgery. In today’s 2022 medical dollars, that would be $9,500 and more than $62,000. Average colonoscopy & biopsy price in 2007 was $2,369; upper GI endoscopy $3,131; cataract & lens was $4,870; tonsillectomy $5,286; knee cartilage $7,357; hernia repair $8,187; outpatient gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) $10,838; breast biopsy $3,863; lumpectomy $7,458; ear tube surgery (myringotomy) $3,547; D&C $6,366; arthroscopy $8,970; incontinence procedures $9,929; varicose veins $,8459; bunionectomy $7,699; wrist fracture $7,807; $4,770 for circumcision. AHRQ Statistical Brief #86 was published in February 2010. The report was updated in December 2021, with 2019 volumes, as Statistical Brief 287. Unfortunately, the federal government did not include average charges, or cost estimates. in the new report.

California – Average Inpatient and Outpatient Prices, 2022 Hospital Chargemaster

California provides average prices for inpatient and outpatient procedures as of June 1, 2022, as listed in each hospital’s chargemaster. All CA hospitals are included. Excel files show prices for at least 25 common outpatient procedures. ER visits, MRI and CT test prices should be included, along with selected outpatient surgery. The average cost (charge) for top 25 types of outpatient procedures or surgery includes CPT codes. Outpatient reports may show hospital prices for Emergency Room visits, office visit code 99213, lab tests, CT, MRI, Mammogram, x-ray, ultrasound, Physical Therapy visit, Arthroscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopy, carpal tunnel, hernia repair, gall bladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), lumbar injections, tonsillectomy, ear tubes and more, depending on each hospital’s highest volume.

California 2022 inpatient prices are listed only in each hospital’s massive and complicated Charge Master, which shows the charge for every pill, lab test and hospital room rate. This is where you will find maternity, obstetrics, newborn nursery, labor and delivery charges. But you may need to wade through more than 10,000 individual services listed in the chargemaster to find what you want to know. Files are in Excel file format. Prices are from 2022. Consumers can see one hospital at a time by downloading their chargemaster file. Provided through California OSHPD, the state government Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.

Consumer Guide to Prevention – USPSTF Recommendations Editor's Pick

Recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for more than 100 Screening tests, Preventive Medication, and Counseling activities. Individual Consumer Guides for all different types of cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, speech and language disorders, hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, depression, diabetes, abdominal aortic aneurysm, sexually transmitted disease, osteoporosis, and much more. Counseling for alcohol misuse, diet and physical activity. In some cases, the site includes screening guidelines published by other experts, such as JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. Updated 2022.

Cost of an Office Visit (MEPS)

MEPS provides the average and median cost for a doctor’s office visit. Average cost paid (payments) for an office-based physician visit in 2016 was $265 (about $311 in 2022 dollars with medical inflation). For primary care (family medicine, internists and general practice) the 2016 average visit cost was $186. (For all 2016 numbers add about 17.2% to estimate 2022 prices.) Pediatrics came in at $169; psychiatry at $159, Dermatology at $268, OB/GYN was $280 per visit. Specialists in Ophthalmology were $307, but Orthopedics and Cardiology jumped to $419 and 335 respectively. Other specialists (as a group) averaged $365. Median or typical expenses were considerably lower at $116 overall, and $107 for primary care, $103 for psychiatry and ranging up to $134 median for ophthalmology and orthopedics. Mean out of pocket expense was highest for ophthalmology ($125) and lowest for pediatrics ($40). Primary care was $50 average out of pocket, if the patient had some responsibility. Statistical Brief # 517, pub. October 2018 by AHRQ using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data; household component.

Minnesota – Hospital Price Check (Inpatient & Outpatient)

Minnesota Hospital Price Check gives hospital-specific prices (charges) for all inpatient hospitalizations and top 25 same-day surgery procedures in MN. Find average and median inpatient cost (before discounts) and volume for newborns and child birth delivery, pneumonia, chest pain, COPD, hip or knee replacement, appendectomy, cellulitis, hysterectomy, rehab, other surgeries & many more. Outpatient prices for biopsies, cataracts, colonoscopy, ear tubes, gallbladder (cholecystectomy), hernia repair, arthroscopy, tonsillectomy, upper GI endoscopy, hysteroscopy, carpal tunnel and other same-day surgery. Hospitalizations are described in medical terms. Because the site uses coding phrases and medical terms (e.g cholecystectomy instead of gall bladder), consumers should be prepared ahead to type in the correct term. Compare 3 hospitals, one procedure at a time; excludes doctor charges; by Minnesota Hospital Association, 2021 prices and volumes of cases. Shows statewide average charge also.

MN Physician fees, office visit cost, lab test cost, more

Find how much physician office visits cost for over 100 professional services in Minnesota, ND, SD, WI through Minnesota HealthScores’ Cost Report feature. Click on tab “Average Cost of Procedure”. Compare costs paid over 200 participating medical groups and hospitals, and hundreds of clinic locations in Minnesota, and some border communities, for doctor office visits, eye care, lab tests, vasectomy, minor office surgical procedures such as ear wax removal, circumcision and skin lesion removal; immunization, psychotherapy and mental health visits, x-ray, MRI, acupuncture, physical therapy. Some Obstetric services, including colposcopy. Medical groups include Allina, Altru, Apple Valley, Aspen, Avera, Brainerd, Children’s Physician Network, Dakota Clinic, Edina, Fairview, Fergus, Grand Itasca, Gundersen, HealthEast, HealthPartners, Lakewood, Mankato, Mayo Clinic, MeritCare, Innovis, North Memorial, Northstar, Olmsted, Osceola, Park Nicollet, Regina, Ridgeview, Sanford, St. Cloud CentraCare, St. Luke’s, St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic, Stillwater, United, University of Minnesota, Winona Clinic, and more; OB-GYN clinics. Report by MN Community Measurement. Interactive easy-to-use format. Costs shown are claims through BCBS, Health Partners, Medica, and Preferred One in 2020, published in 2022. Theses costs are the amounts paid after discounts. Useful website, though tiny print.

Montana Hospital Outpatient Surgery and Test Costs

Find out how much outpatient surgery and imaging tests cost in Montana in 2019-2020. Compare MT hospital charges for ambulatory surgery and diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy (median charge $2,611 for a diagnostic colonoscopy code 45378), sigmoidoscopy, breast biopsy, cardiac stress tests, cardiac catheterization. All prices EXCLUDE surgeon fees and other physician costs. PricePoint system shows facility prices in the past, for common surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy (median $6,004 with adenoid removal, under age 12, code 42820), cataracts, ear tubes, knee cartilage, bunions, child’s appendix removal, carpal tunnel, gallbladder removal, skin lesions, upper GI endoscopy; x ray, CT, MRI (e.g. spine MRI without dye had a median price of $1,692, code 72148) and other radiology imaging prices listed. Costs are from July 2019-June 2020. Consumers may wish to add medical inflation to estimate 2023 prices. No updates available as of April 2023.

Nebraska Hospital PricePoint System (Inpatient Charges)

Find average price and typical charges for most types of inpatient hospital stays in Nebraska for 2019. Compare average hospital prices in the PricePoint system. Example of hospitalizations: maternity prices, angioplasty, heart surgery, some cancer services, hip & knee surgery, bowel surgery, kidney and other transplants, pneumonia, stroke, some mental health psych services, UTI, gall bladder surgery (inpatient only). If you can’t find it, check the comprehensive list (e.g. MDC 19 for mental health). Vaginal delivery (mom only) cost $9,725 on average; normal newborn was $3,575. Includes volume, average length of stay in the hospital, and median age of patient. Does not include physician costs. Shows one hospital/ one disease or condition at a time along with the state median charge. Or compare hospitals (statewide numbers are not shown in this view); 2019 data. All cities including Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Creighton, Norfolk, Kearney. NHA Care Compare is sponsored by the Nebraska Hospital Association. No updates as of April 2022.

Vermont – Hospital Outpatient Surgery Prices, 2022

How much does outpatient surgery cost in Vermont? To find 2022 prices (the most recent available), see Section called Pricing of Common Services at Community Hospitals.

Tables 2A and 3P let you compare average gross charge (the closest you will get to average cost) for most common ambulatory surgery procedures at 14 general hospitals in VT. Table 3P (Other) Prices is more current, to September 2022, and it includes the physician charge. Hip replacement averaged $38,895 in VT. Knee replacement average cost was over $39,000; knee arthroscopy averaged $14,541. Outpatient gallbladder removal was $17,128 on average. A prostate biopsy was about $4,000. Hernia repair averaged $18,297. A tonsillectomy with adenoid removal in a child under age 12 was $12,618. Cataract prices, carpal tunnel release and more than 20 outpatient procedures are shown. Prices varied by hospital.

Table 2A shows prices for some procedures, 12 months through September 30, 2020 (two to three years old). Here you can find prices for ear tubes (myringotomy), outpatient hysterectomy, bunion removal, lumpectomy and other procedures. This table DOES NOT include the surgeon or other physician fees. Medical inflation has been about 4.7% over the past 2 years, and 9% over 3 years. As with all of Vermont’s reports, the font size is about as small as you can get.

Vermont – Inpatient Hospital Average Prices

2022 Vermont Hospital Report Card shows average inpatient prices (gross charges) for each VT hospital’s most frequent inpatient admissions. Sample average prices include newborn delivery (normal newborn $3,529; newborn with medical problems = $5,455, but over $25,000 if the baby had major problems), cesarean section ($20,000 to $24,000), average cost for vaginal delivery $10,342 without complications; pneumonia; total hip or knee replacement (average $41,000), depression (average $19,000), psychoses such as schizophrenia (average $39,000), COPD & emphysema, heart failure, chest pain, rehabilitation, heart rhythm problems, back problems, Spinal fusion about $75,000; kidney or urinary tract infection, and other hospital stays. Compare costs on nearly 60 different types of cases, listed by MS-DRG. Compare all hospitals side-by-side in Table 1A; 2019-2020 average charges were published in 2022. Price hikes for 2022 and 2023 are likely.

Wisconsin Hospitals PricePoint (Average Inpatient Prices)

Wisconsin PricePoint tool shows average hospital price, median charge and length of stay for common inpatient services. Full year 2021 prices are shown. Hospitalizations include maternity and newborn births, hip or knee replacement surgery, gallbladder removal, heart surgery, angioplasty, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), valves, cardiac cath, pacemaker, pneumonia, bipolar and other mental health, stroke, back care, asthma, COPD, rehab; kidney, heart, lung or other transplant; hysterectomy, prostate surgery, bowel surgery & more. Dates are not shown on the consumer version of the PricePoint tool. (See dates by going through the professional tool, from the Home page.) Also shows inpatient volumes if you click on more detail. Median price for a uncomplicated vaginal delivery in 2021, with normal newborn care was just over $16,000 total (about $12,000 for mom and $4,000 for baby). From WHA Information Center, part of the Wisconsin Hospital Association WHA Information Center. Updated Apr. 2022.

Surgeon and other physician fees NOT included. Wisc. Hospital Assn. created the PricePoint System now used in other states. This version of Pricepoint has been modified to be payer-specific, so consumers can get a better idea of average cost. Gross charges (sticker price) should be the same for all patients who have identical care. Must watch a video before proceeding to see the prices; you may also need specific medical information about the procedure in order to select the price you are interested in.

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