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MS-DRG 788Chicago, IL

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.

Hospitals

15

in Chicago area

Average List Price

$42,775

gross charge

Average Cash Price

$25,720

40% below list price

Price Range

$28,694 – $63,005

2.2x spread

Hospital Prices in Chicago

Sorted by lowest cash price
RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

$28,694

Cash Price

$14,347-50%

Negotiated Range

$744$18,887

RUSH SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, LLC

Chicago, IL · RUSH Health

0.1/10

List Price

$28,694

Cash Price

$14,347-50%

Negotiated Range

$9,948$18,818

COMMUNITY FIRST MEDICAL CENTER

CHICAGO, IL · Proprietary

0.1/10

List Price

$63,005

Cash Price

$31,503-50%

Negotiated Range

$7,632$18,902

NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

$32,907

Negotiated Range

$18$100

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HOSPITAL AND CLINICS

CHICAGO, IL · Government - State

0.1/10

List Price

$50,708

Cash Price

$35,496-30%

SAINT ANTHONY HOSPITAL

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$5,579$12,864

SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$6,790$8,181

SWEDISH HOSPITAL

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$5,826$38,283

NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM - EVANSTON HOSPITAL

EVANSTON, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Other

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$5,823$38,987

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,601$60,997

PRESENCE SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL - CHICAGO

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$1,968$12,840

ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$900$3,678

WEST SUBURBAN MEDICAL CENTER

OAK PARK, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Other

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$6,695$10,498

ADVOCATE TRINITY HOSPITAL

CHICAGO, IL · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$5,609$19,357

LOUIS A WEISS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

CHICAGO, IL · Proprietary

0.1/10

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?
The average cash price for c-section in Chicago, IL is $25,720. Prices range from $28,694 to $63,005 depending on the hospital and whether you pay cash or use insurance.
Why do C-Section prices vary so much in Chicago, IL?
Hospital prices for c-section in Chicago, IL differ based on facility type (hospital outpatient vs. ambulatory surgery center), negotiated insurance rates, hospital overhead, and local market competition. Hospitals with less nearby competition tend to charge more.
Can I get a cheaper C-Section by paying cash?
Yes. In Chicago, IL, the average cash price for c-section is $25,720, which is 40% below the average list price of $42,775. Many hospitals offer additional discounts if you pay upfront.
What is the cheapest hospital for C-Section in Chicago, IL?
The cheapest hospital depends on current published rates. Use the price comparison table above to see which facility in Chicago, IL offers the lowest cash price for c-section. Prices can change, so verify directly with the hospital before scheduling.
Does insurance cover C-Section?
Most health insurance plans cover c-section when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and coinsurance, and whether the provider is in-network. Contact your insurer for a pre-authorization estimate.

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.