Our Data & Methodology
Loa combines publicly available hospital pricing data mandated by federal law with prices sourced directly from providers. Here's how we collect, verify, and present it.
Hospital Price Transparency Data
Our primary data source is the Machine Readable Files (MRFs) that US hospitals are required to publish under the Hospital Price Transparency Rule (45 CFR 180). This federal regulation, effective since January 2021, requires every hospital operating in the United States to make their standard charges publicly available in a machine-readable format.
These files contain gross charges, discounted cash prices, and payer-specific negotiated rates for every service a hospital provides — from a routine blood test to complex surgery.
Direct Provider Outreach
In addition to MRF data, Loa contacts hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics directly via phone and email to obtain and verify real-world cash prices. This serves two purposes:
- Gap filling — not all facilities have complete or up-to-date MRF files; direct outreach captures prices that would otherwise be missing
- Price verification — comparing provider-quoted prices against published MRF data helps ensure accuracy and catch outdated listings
Coverage
Loa currently includes pricing data from over 6,000 US hospitals across all 50 states. This includes major health systems, community hospitals, academic medical centers, and specialty facilities.
Provider directory information (doctors and specialists) comes from the CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPI Registry), the official federal database of healthcare providers.
How We Calculate Prices
For each procedure and location, we aggregate pricing data from all available hospitals in the geographic region. We calculate:
- Minimum price — the lowest published rate in the area
- Maximum price — the highest published rate
- Median price — the middle value, less affected by outliers
- Average price — the arithmetic mean of all rates
Procedures are identified by CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes, the standard billing codes used across the US healthcare system. Prices are standardized to allow fair comparison across facilities.
Data Freshness
Hospitals are required to update their price transparency files at least annually. Loa continuously monitors and processes new files as hospitals publish them. The data shown on our pricing pages reflects the most recently available information from each hospital.
Important Limitations
While we strive for accuracy and comprehensiveness, there are important limitations to be aware of:
- Prices are estimates based on published data, not guaranteed quotes
- Your actual cost depends on your insurance plan, deductible status, and clinical specifics
- Not all hospitals have fully compliant price transparency files
- Professional fees (e.g., radiologist interpretation) may be billed separately
- Prices may change between when data was published and when you receive care
API Access for AI Assistants
Loa provides a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants to access our pricing data programmatically. This enables tools like Claude to search CPT codes, compare hospital prices, and provide real-time cost estimates to users.
All data accessed through the API is the same publicly available, non-PHI information shown on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the pricing data come from?
Pricing data comes from two sources: (1) hospital Machine Readable Files (MRFs) that US hospitals are required to publish under the Hospital Price Transparency Rule (45 CFR 180), and (2) direct outreach to providers via phone and email to obtain and verify real-world cash prices. This combination gives us broader coverage and more accurate pricing.
How many hospitals are included?
Loa currently includes pricing data from over 6,000 US hospitals. We continuously add new hospitals as they publish or update their price transparency files.
How often is the data updated?
Hospital MRF files are typically updated annually or more frequently. Loa processes new files as they become available. The pricing data on any given page reflects the most recent data from hospitals in that region.
What do the prices represent?
Prices shown include gross charges, cash/self-pay rates, and in some cases payer-specific negotiated rates. The "cash price" reflects what a hospital charges patients who pay out-of-pocket without insurance. The min, max, and median are calculated from all available prices for a given procedure in a geographic area.
Are these the exact prices I will pay?
Prices shown are based on published hospital data and should be used as estimates for comparison purposes. Your actual cost may vary based on your specific clinical situation, insurance plan, facility fees, and other factors. Always confirm pricing directly with your provider before scheduling a procedure.
Where does provider data come from?
Provider information (doctors, specialists) comes from the CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, commonly known as the NPI Registry. This is the official federal database of healthcare providers.
Federal Data Sources
Hospital pricing data: Hospital Price Transparency Rule, 45 CFR Part 180, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Provider data: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Compare Healthcare Prices
Use our data to find the best price for your next medical procedure.
Browse Procedure Prices