Average charges for uncomplicated cesarean and vaginal deliveries, United States, 1993

During 1993, average charges for a cesarean birth among MetLife group health insureds and dependents was $11,000 in comparison to $6,430 for women who had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Among the 34 states with at least 50 uncomplicated cesarean births, the average total charge ranged from highs of $13,700 in New York and $13,480 in California to lows of $7,730 in Oklahoma and $8,270 in Ohio. Among the states with at least 100 vaginal births, New York again reported the highest average total charge ($8,840)--a charge 2.1 times the lowest reported charge in Arkansas ($4,190). The hospital charges (room and board plus ancillary fees) accounted for 63 percent of the total charges billed to MetLife for a cesarean delivery and 57 percent for a vaginal birth. Physician fees averaged $4,070 for a cesarean and $2,740 for a vaginal birth across the country; New York reported the highest charges for both types of deliveries, $6,680 and $4,710, respectively. Minnesota reported the lowest physician charges--$2,370 for a cesarean birth and $1,390 for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Hospital stays averaged 3.4 days for a cesarean delivery and 1.9 for a vaginal birth. Room and board charges accounted for 34 percent of the hospital charges associated with a cesarean birth and 37 percent for an uncomplicated vaginal birth.