Eye exam, established patient in Iowa

What these numbers mean. Cash price is what the hospital lists for patients paying out of pocket. Negotiated median is the middle of what insurance companies actually agreed to pay. Gross charge is the sticker price — almost nobody pays it. What you will actually pay is usually different from both numbers: with insurance, your deductible, copay, or coinsurance decides what you owe — the negotiated rate is what the insurer pays, not your bill. A single line item may not be the whole cost: physician, anesthesia, pathology, and facility fees can be billed separately. Prices vary by hospital and change over time; always confirm with the hospital before you go.