September 6, 2018
Childbirth is one of the most common ways that families interact with the medical system and the cost can widely vary based on region and type of delivery.
We looked at cost data for a vaginal delivery and C-section delivery throughout the state. Below are the average total costs for these diagnostic procedures, based on allowed amounts. A patient’s out-of-pocket costs may be less.
| |
Vaginal Delivery |
C-Section Delivery |
| |
Minimum |
Average |
Maximum |
Minimum |
Average |
Maximum |
| Seattle Tacoma Bellevue |
$11,561 |
$14,043 |
$19,213 |
$14,793 |
$18,308 |
$25,520 |
| Bremerton Silverdale |
$16,812 |
$16,812 |
$16,812 |
$34,390 |
$34,390 |
$34,390 |
| Olympia and Longview |
$11,621 |
$23,050 |
$37,463 |
$17,458 |
$23,847 |
$33,299 |
| North Puget Sound* |
$9,586 |
$14,313 |
$18,422 |
$14,394 |
$28,451 |
$34,494 |
| Spokane |
$8,474 |
$10,585 |
$12,183 |
$15,335 |
$17,140 |
$19,626 |
| Eastern Washington** |
$11,184 |
$13,546 |
$16,621 |
$13,907 |
$16,694 |
$21.819 |
*North Puget Sound includes Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes.
**Eastern Washington includes Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.
What can you do?
With the cost of giving birth varying greatly from region to region, are you referring your patients to a provider and facility where they’ll receive high quality care at a fair price? Your patients may also benefit from Premera’s Best Beginnings, which provides customized maternity information and helps expectant moms create a birth plan.