MS-DRG 788Kentucky

C-Section Cost in Kentucky (2026)

Last updated: May 2026

A hospital C-section (cesarean delivery) costs $18,531 on average without insurance in Kentucky, based on CMS inpatient MS-DRG 788 data from 17 hospitals. Published cash prices range from $23,195 to $40,539 for the full hospital stay — not a single line-item charge. These figures come from federally required hospital price transparency files, not national estimates.

17 hospitals in Kentucky report pricing for c-section. The average cash price is $18,531.

Compare Prices Near You

Hospitals

in Kentucky

Average List Price

$31,371

gross charge

Average Cash Price

$18,531

41% below list price

Price Range

$23,195 – $40,539

1.7x spread

Hospital Prices in Kentucky

Sorted by lowest cash price

Hospital	City	List Price	Cash Price	Negotiated Range	Grade
GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Proprietary	GEORGETOWN	$32,539	$13,016-60%	$5,120 – $32,539	0.1/10
SPRING VIEW HOSPITAL Proprietary	LEBANON	$32,655	$13,062-60%	$4,747 – $32,655	0.1/10
BAPTIST HEALTH PADUCAH Voluntary non-profit - Church	PADUCAH	$23,195	$17,397-25%	$5,584 – $15,748	0.1/10
BAPTIST HEALTH RICHMOND Voluntary non-profit - Private	RICHMOND	$24,675	$18,506-25%	$5,204 – $24,675	0.1/10
BAPTIST HEALTH HARDIN Government - Local	ELIZABETHTOWN	$25,454	$19,091-25%	$5,260 – $20,363	0.1/10
MARCUM AND WALLACE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Private	IRVINE	$40,539	$24,323-40%	$5,662 – $29,899	0.1/10
MERCY HEALTH - LOURDES HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Church	PADUCAH	$40,539	$24,323-40%	$5,662 – $29,899	0.1/10
ST ELIZABETH FLORENCE Voluntary non-profit - Private	FLORENCE	N/A	N/A	$2,348 – $29,454	0.1/10
ST ELIZABETH FT THOMAS Voluntary non-profit - Private	FORT THOMAS	N/A	N/A	$2,348 – $29,454	0.1/10
SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL Voluntary non-profit - Church	LEXINGTON	N/A	N/A	$15,888 – $41,540	0.1/10
TRISTAR GREENVIEW REGIONAL HOSPITAL Proprietary	BOWLING GREEN	N/A	N/A	$2,158 – $39,645	0.1/10
PIKEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER Voluntary non-profit - Private	PIKEVILLE	N/A	N/A	$3,333 – $26,051	0.1/10
SAINT JOSEPH MOUNT STERLING Voluntary non-profit - Private	MOUNT STERLING	N/A	N/A	$15,888 – $41,540	0.1/10
ST ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD Voluntary non-profit - Church	EDGEWOOD	N/A	N/A	$2,348 – $29,454	0.1/10
FRANKFORT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Proprietary	FRANKFORT	N/A	N/A	$432 – $39,899	0.1/10
ST ELIZABETH GRANT Voluntary non-profit - Church	WILLIAMSTOWN	N/A	N/A	$2,348 – $29,454	0.1/10
SAINT JOSEPH LONDON Voluntary non-profit - Private	LONDON	N/A	N/A	$15,888 – $41,540	0.1/10

GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

GEORGETOWN, KY · Proprietary

0.1/10

List Price

$32,539

Cash Price

$13,016-60%

Negotiated Range

$5,120 – $32,539

SPRING VIEW HOSPITAL

LEBANON, KY · Proprietary

0.1/10

List Price

$32,655

Cash Price

$13,062-60%

Negotiated Range

$4,747 – $32,655

BAPTIST HEALTH PADUCAH

PADUCAH, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

$23,195

Cash Price

$17,397-25%

Negotiated Range

$5,584 – $15,748

BAPTIST HEALTH RICHMOND

RICHMOND, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

$24,675

Cash Price

$18,506-25%

Negotiated Range

$5,204 – $24,675

BAPTIST HEALTH HARDIN

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY · Government - Local

0.1/10

List Price

$25,454

Cash Price

$19,091-25%

Negotiated Range

$5,260 – $20,363

MARCUM AND WALLACE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

IRVINE, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

$40,539

Cash Price

$24,323-40%

Negotiated Range

$5,662 – $29,899

MERCY HEALTH - LOURDES HOSPITAL

PADUCAH, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

$40,539

Cash Price

$24,323-40%

Negotiated Range

$5,662 – $29,899

ST ELIZABETH FLORENCE

FLORENCE, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,348 – $29,454

ST ELIZABETH FT THOMAS

FORT THOMAS, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,348 – $29,454

SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL

LEXINGTON, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$15,888 – $41,540

TRISTAR GREENVIEW REGIONAL HOSPITAL

BOWLING GREEN, KY · Proprietary

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,158 – $39,645

PIKEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER

PIKEVILLE, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$3,333 – $26,051

SAINT JOSEPH MOUNT STERLING

MOUNT STERLING, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$15,888 – $41,540

ST ELIZABETH EDGEWOOD

EDGEWOOD, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,348 – $29,454

FRANKFORT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

FRANKFORT, KY · Proprietary

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$432 – $39,899

ST ELIZABETH GRANT

WILLIAMSTOWN, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Church

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$2,348 – $29,454

SAINT JOSEPH LONDON

LONDON, KY · Voluntary non-profit - Private

0.1/10

List Price

N/A

Cash Price

N/A

Negotiated Range

$15,888 – $41,540

C-Section Cost by City in Kentucky

Louisville

C-Section Cost in Other States

Texas (198)California (152)Florida (119)Ohio (95)Pennsylvania (93)New York (77)Illinois (75)Georgia (73)Wisconsin (71)Michigan (65)Tennessee (52)Colorado (52)View all states

What Affects C-Section Cost in Kentucky

If you're researching c-section costs in Kentucky, you'll find significant price differences between providers — even those just miles apart.

Surgical costs for c-section in Kentucky are influenced by operating room fees, anesthesia, surgeon fees, and any implants or specialized equipment. Academic medical centers and large health systems often charge more than community hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers.

Based on data from 17 hospitals in Kentucky, c-section prices range from $23,195 to $40,539 — a 1.7x 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 Kentucky

The setting where c-section is performed in Kentucky 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 Kentucky

If you're paying out of pocket for c-section in Kentucky, you may be able to negotiate a rate lower than the hospital's published list price. Federal law requires hospitals to post cash-pay rates, making it easier to compare options before scheduling.

In Kentucky, the average cash price for c-section is $18,531, which is 41% lower than the average list price of $31,371. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About C-Section Cost in Kentucky

How much does C-Section cost in Kentucky?▼

The average cash price for c-section in Kentucky is $18,531. Prices range from $23,195 to $40,539 depending on the hospital and whether you pay cash or use insurance.

Why do C-Section prices vary so much in Kentucky?▼

Hospital prices for c-section in Kentucky 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 Kentucky, the average cash price for c-section is $18,531, which is 41% below the average list price of $31,371. Many hospitals offer additional discounts if you pay upfront.

What is the cheapest hospital for C-Section in Kentucky?▼

The cheapest hospital depends on current published rates. Use the price comparison table above to see which facility in Kentucky 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.

Try Total Care Cost

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.