Now thanks to a government report I don't have to.
The trouble is there are a million variables. Its very difficult to compare hospitals and unless you pay cash it mostly doesnt matter.
Not always. A pacemaker implant is pretty routine; why should it cost twice as much in one place than in another? Knee replacement is also pretty routine, but one hospital in Dallas charged four times as much as the one across town. The story nailed the real reason; hospitals charge whatever they please because there is no visibility in pricing or comparative shopping. What we need is more visibility into how they price their procedures and not less.
There certainly is the ability to do comparison shopping, as long as you have something routine and not emergency.
Some hospitals are better than others. perhaps you had complications at one vs another.
Insurance company apply standard pricing to all hospitals for the equivalent procedure. You can ask for reasonable and customary and they’ll most likely reduce the rate for you.
They are businesses and want to sell their service, again all you have to do is ask the hospital.