For the first time, the federal government has made public chargemaster data for the 100 most common Medicare inpatient diagnostic related groups or DRGs. The data show that hospital prices often vary widely, even within the same within the same city or region.

The massive file contains chargemaster data, or what some call the “sticker price,” for the 100 most common Medicare inpatient DRGs. The data does not include physician costs and does not show prices paid by Medicare. But it does provide an inside look at how average covered Medicare charges can significantly vary from hospital to hospital within the same city or geographic area.

The data is for 3,400 hospitals and represents 92% of all hospital inpatient charges in fiscal year 2011.

To view the CMS data see the attached link:  Medicare Hospital Charge data link.