What are facility fees?

In our practice, we don't add facility fees to your bill. Facility fees are extra charges that hospital owned clinics often include. In the Puget Sound area, these fees in 2024 average $219 per visit. They are not always covered by insurance.

When you go to a hospital for care, you're not just paying for the doctor's time; you're also paying for the use of the hospital's rooms, equipment, and other resources. Doctors who work with hospitals usually add these fees to the cost of your visit or treatment. They can be really expensive, sometimes hundreds of dollars, just for one visit or procedure. These costs add up and are part of the reason why healthcare in big hospitals can be so pricey. Check out this Consumer Reports article about facility fees. Also see how hospitals charge twice the facility fees for colonoscopies than outpatient surgery centers.

Insurance doesn't always pay these fees

One big issue with facility fees is that insurance doesn't always cover them. This means that even if you have health insurance, you might have to pay these fees out of your own pocket. That can make your healthcare a lot more expensive.

Facility fees at area hospitals

The amount of these fees can vary a lot. This means that the cost for the same type of visit or procedure can be different depending on the hospital. The table below was created from regulatory filings provided by Swedish First Hill, University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital, Evergreen Hospital, Overlake Hospital, and Providence Hospital Everett.

Remember, these costs can be tacked on to each visit to a hospital employed provider visit. The average of the area hospitals in the Puget Sound area is $219, consistent with a survey of facility fees nationwide.

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Our independent Seattle ENT practice saves you money

By not charging facility fees, our practice keeps your healthcare costs lower. We focus on providing care directly, without the extra charges that can make hospital visits so expensive. This way, you get the care you need without worrying about surprise fees on your bill.

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