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SALT LAKE CITY — Like most Americans, you likely know a little too well that good medical care doesn't come cheap. So when you're digging into your pockets to cover insurance premiums, copays and deductibles, it's important to understand why you're paying what you are. The sad truth is, some of the most common medical procedures you may need throughout the course of your life cost much more than you might think. When you understand the cost of care, you might have a better idea where all that money is actually going. Here are the average costs of some of the country's most common procedures, according the [2012 Comparative Price Report](<http://hushp.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/downloadable_files/IFHP 2012 Comparative Price Report.pdf>) from the International Federation of Health Plans, the trade organization for the health insurance industry.
MRI Imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging test, commonly referred to as an MRI, is a common diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic field and radio wave energy to create images of the inside of the body. MRIs often capture images that X-rays and CT scans are unable to. The average U.S. cost for a single MRI is $1,121, with some areas of the United States paying up to $2,871 for the test.
Appendectomy
One of the most common surgical procedures is the appendectomy, which removes an inflamed appendix in order to prevent it from bursting. Although a common procedure, an appendectomy costs on average $13,851 across the United States. On the high end, the procedure can cost as much as $29,426.
Infant Delivery
Bringing home a new little bundle of joy can be a wonderful experience — but probably not a cheap one. The cost of a normal delivery (without complications) averages $9,775 throughout the United States, with some patients paying as much as $16,653. Of course, any delivery that is not normal and requires subsequent procedures or extended hospital stays can cost much, much more.
C-Section Infant Delivery
Remember when we said that complications of delivery can cost much more? If you need a C-Section to deliver your baby, you're looking to spend an average of $15,041 and up to $26,305. Of course, this is assuming that the surgery does not involve further complications.
Hip Replacement Surgery
These days, hips are an expensive commodity — at least the artificial kind. The average total cost for a hip replacement in the United States is $40,364, which covers both the physician cost and hospital fees. The price tag on this surgery can rise to a steep $87,987.
Routine Office Visit
You may not need a major medical procedure this year, but chances are you'll visit your doctor's office a time or two. In the United States, a routine office visit (which doesn't include any labs or other diagnostic procedures) costs an average of $95. That said, your 15 minutes in the examining room could cost as much as $176.
Angiogram
An important diagnostic procedure, an angiogram uses a camera and special dye to photograph and document blood flow through an artery or vein. This can help physicians determine where there may be build up or blockages. The average cost of an angiogram is $914, and $2,430 on the very high end.
Hospital Stay
While you may not consider your cost of living to be low, when compared with a hospital stay it's probably downright cheap. On average, a single day in a U.S. hospital costs $4,287 and as much as $12,537 on the high end. Bet you had no idea how much that hospital gown was costing you.
Colonoscopy
One of the more common diagnostic procedures, a colonoscopy is a visual examination of the inner lining of your large intestine. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and requires sedation. On average, a colonoscopy in the United States costs $1,185. On the high end, some patients pay as much as $2,627.
Knee Replacement Surgery
One of the most common inpatient procedures in the United States, knee replacements can greatly improve a patient's quality of life. It can also cost an arm and a leg (sorry). The average U.S. price for knee replacement surgery (including physician fees and hospital costs) is $25,637, with a high rate of $52,451.
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This article was written on behalf of Arches Health Plan and not by ksl.com editorial staff. BrandView articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ksl.com or its owners.
