C-Section Cost in Chicago, IL
Last updated: May 2026
A hospital C-section (cesarean delivery) costs $25,720 on average without insurance in Chicago, IL, based on CMS inpatient MS-DRG 788 data from 15 hospitals. Published cash prices range from $28,694 to $63,005 for the full hospital stay — not a single line-item charge. These figures come from federally required hospital price transparency files, not national estimates.
15 hospitals in the Chicago area report pricing for c-section. The average cash price is $25,720.
15
in Chicago area
$42,775
gross charge
$25,720
40% below list price
$28,694 – $63,005
2.2x spread
Hospital Prices in Chicago
Sorted by lowest cash price| Hospital | City | List Price | Cash Price | Negotiated Range | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | $28,694 | $14,347-50% | $744 – $18,887 | 0.1/10 | |
| RUSH SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, LLC RUSH Health | Chicago | $28,694 | $14,347-50% | $9,948 – $18,818 | 0.1/10 | |
| COMMUNITY FIRST MEDICAL CENTER Proprietary | CHICAGO | $63,005 | $31,503-50% | $7,632 – $18,902 | 0.1/10 | |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | N/A | $32,907 | $18 – $100 | 0.1/10 | |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HOSPITAL AND CLINICS Government - State | CHICAGO | $50,708 | $35,496-30% | — | 0.1/10 | |
| SAINT ANTHONY HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $5,579 – $12,864 | 0.1/10 | |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $6,790 – $8,181 | 0.1/10 | |
| SWEDISH HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Church | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $5,826 – $38,283 | 0.1/10 | |
| NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM - EVANSTON HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Other | EVANSTON | N/A | N/A | $5,823 – $38,987 | 0.1/10 | |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $2,601 – $60,997 | 0.1/10 | |
| PRESENCE SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL - CHICAGO Voluntary non-profit - Church | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $1,968 – $12,840 | 0.1/10 | |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO Voluntary non-profit - Private | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $900 – $3,678 | 0.1/10 | |
| WEST SUBURBAN MEDICAL CENTER Voluntary non-profit - Other | OAK PARK | N/A | N/A | $6,695 – $10,498 | 0.1/10 | |
| ADVOCATE TRINITY HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Church | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $5,609 – $19,357 | 0.1/10 | |
| LOUIS A WEISS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Proprietary | CHICAGO | N/A | N/A | $8,133 – $11,153 | 0.1/10 |
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
$28,694
Cash Price
$14,347-50%
Negotiated Range
$744 – $18,887
Chicago, IL · RUSH Health
List Price
$28,694
Cash Price
$14,347-50%
Negotiated Range
$9,948 – $18,818
CHICAGO, IL · Proprietary
List Price
$63,005
Cash Price
$31,503-50%
Negotiated Range
$7,632 – $18,902
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
$32,907
Negotiated Range
$18 – $100
CHICAGO, IL · Government - State
List Price
$50,708
Cash Price
$35,496-30%
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$5,579 – $12,864
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$6,790 – $8,181
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$5,826 – $38,283
EVANSTON, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Other
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$5,823 – $38,987
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$2,601 – $60,997
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$1,968 – $12,840
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$900 – $3,678
OAK PARK, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Other
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$6,695 – $10,498
CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$5,609 – $19,357
CHICAGO, IL · Proprietary
List Price
N/A
Cash Price
N/A
Negotiated Range
$8,133 – $11,153
What Affects C-Section Cost in Chicago, IL
The cost of c-section in Chicago, IL depends on several factors, including the type of facility, whether you have insurance, and local market dynamics.
The total cost of c-section includes more than the surgeon's fee. Facility charges, anesthesia, pre-operative testing, and post-operative care all contribute. Ambulatory surgery centers, where medically appropriate, can offer significant savings compared to hospital settings.
Based on data from 15 hospitals in Chicago, IL, c-section prices range from $28,694 to $63,005 — a 2.2x difference. This wide variation underscores why comparing prices before scheduling is critical for controlling your out-of-pocket costs.
Hospital vs. Outpatient Center Pricing in Chicago, IL
The setting where c-section is performed in Chicago, IL significantly impacts total cost. Hospital inpatient stays are the most expensive, followed by hospital outpatient departments, then ambulatory surgery centers.
For patients who are medically appropriate for outpatient surgery, ASCs offer a compelling combination of lower cost and shorter wait times. Many are physician-owned and focus exclusively on surgical care.
Discuss options with your surgeon and, if you're self-pay, ask about pricing at each available setting before scheduling.
Self-Pay vs. Insurance Cost Differences in Chicago, IL
Uninsured and self-pay patients can frequently access c-section at a lower cost than insured rates. Many hospitals in Chicago, IL offer cash discounts of 30–70% off the standard chargemaster rate.
In Chicago, IL, the average cash price for c-section is $25,720, which is 40% lower than the average list price of $42,775. This discount is typical of what self-pay patients can expect when asking for the hospital's uninsured rate.
For insured patients, the negotiated rate between your plan and the hospital determines your cost share. If you haven't met your deductible, you may pay more than the cash price. It's worth asking the hospital whether their self-pay rate is lower than what your insurance would charge — some patients save money by not filing a claim.
Related Procedure Costs
Frequently Asked Questions About C-Section Cost in Chicago, IL
How much does C-Section cost in Chicago, IL?▼
Why do C-Section prices vary so much in Chicago, IL?▼
Can I get a cheaper C-Section by paying cash?▼
What is the cheapest hospital for C-Section in Chicago, IL?▼
Does insurance cover C-Section?▼
Want the true total cost of CESAREAN SECTION WITHOUT STERILIZATION WITHOUT CC/MCC?
Total Care Cost surfaces bundled facility and professional pricing so you can compare options and cut out-of-pocket surprises before you schedule.
Data sourced from hospital machine-readable price transparency files as required by 45 CFR Parts 180 and 182. Prices are informational only and may not reflect current rates. Always confirm pricing directly with the hospital before scheduling.