How much is a hospital stay per day in America?

Asked by: Josefa Pfannerstill  |  Last update: November 22, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (36 votes)

Hospital Stay Costs in the U.S. (1999 – 2022) According to data from ConsumerShield from 1999 to 2022, the average daily hospital cost has risen from $1,101 in 1999 to $3,025 in 2022, marking a staggering increase of approximately 175% over 23 years.

How much does 1 day in a hospital cost?

The average per-day hospital cost in the U.S. is $2,883, with California ($4,181) the most expensive, and Mississippi ($1,305) the least. The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262.

How much is a 3 day hospital stay?

It's easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.

How much does it cost to stay in the hospital for 4 days?

How Much Does Hospital Stay Cost Per Day? The average hospital stay will cost $2300 per day and the average length of stay is between 3 to 4 days, which means your hospital stay can cost between $6900 to $9200 at a minimum plus any additional charges such as ER visit or upcharge.

How much does an ER visit cost us?

Average ER visit cost

An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance, with most people spending about $2,100 for an urgent, non-life-threatening health issue. The cost of an emergency room visit depends on the severity of the condition and the tests, treatments, and medications needed to treat it.

Knowing The Costs Of Hospital Care

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How much is a hospital visit in USA?

KFF4 found that the average per-day hospital cost was $2,883 in 2021. But, this price tag varies significantly by the type of insurance coverage you have and if you have insurance coverage at all. The exact cost also differs depending on where you live.

How much is a hospital bed per day?

Staying In A Hospital In the United States

Recent studies show California ($3,726 per day) and Oregon ($3,271) are, on average, the most expensive; Wyoming ($1,383) and Iowa ($1,606) a distant second.

How much does an IV cost at the hospital without insurance?

Depending on the medication type and dosage, the cost of infusion therapy can range from $200 to $1,000 or more per treatment, with many patients needing multiple weekly or monthly treatments. For perspective, a year of infusion therapy treatment can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

Why is my hospital bill so high?

Elements that contribute to the high cost of medical bills include surprise medical bills, administrative costs, rising doctors' fees, the high cost of surgical procedures and diagnostic tests, and soaring drugs costs.

How much does 1 week in ICU cost?

Mean intensive care unit cost and length of stay were 31,574 +/- 42,570 dollars and 14.4 days +/- 15.8 for patients requiring mechanical ventilation and 12,931 +/- 20,569 dollars and 8.5 days +/- 10.5 for those not requiring mechanical ventilation.

Does insurance cover hospital stays?

A set of 10 categories of services health insurance plans must cover under the Affordable Care Act. These include doctors' services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health services, and more. Some plans cover more services.

What is the most expensive surgery?

Heart Transplant: The Costliest Procedure

Heart transplants top the list as the most expensive medical procedure in 2024. The complexity of the surgery, the need for donor matching, and the lifelong post-transplant care contribute to the high cost.

Why are hospital stays so expensive?

Healthcare is often very expensive, especially for Americans. There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.

Is urgent care cheaper than ER?

An urgent care visit is between $100 and $200 – about ten times less than the average ER visit. If you have insurance, it should only be the cost of your co-pay. Most urgent care clinics are open 7 days a week. And, on average, wait times are 30 minutes or less.

How much is one night stay in the hospital?

How Much Does It Cost To Stay in the Hospital? The national average cost of hospital stays per night is $3,025, but individual states can have dramatically different costs. For example, Mississippi has the lowest cost per night at $1,425, while California averages $4,337 per night.

Do hospitals have to give itemized bills?

Getting your itemized bill is the first step in negotiating your hospital bill. Unfortunately, most hospitals won't send your itemized bill unless you ask for it. The good news is that once you do request your itemized bill, your hospital is legally required to send it to you within 30 days.

What was the most expensive hospital bill?

Although the American Hospital Association, the Health Care Financial Management Association, and even the Guinness Book of Records couldn't confirm the highest hospital bill in history, according to Associated Press (AP), the $9.2 million in charges for one patient certainly draws questions into high healthcare costs ...

How much money does a hospital make in a day?

Large Urban Private Hospital (500 beds): Offering high-cost specialties and serving thousands of patients through outpatient and diagnostic services, a large hospital could earn anywhere from $1 million to $10 million daily, depending on patient volume and case mix.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

What happens if I go to the ER without insurance?

Despite the financial hurdles, uninsured emergency patients are provided with legal safeguards. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.