Specialist consultation cost in Ames, IA — inpatient
In Ames, IA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for specialist consultation, low complexity or 30+ minutes as an inpatient: from $240.80 to $240.80, with a median of $240.80. Across Iowa, the median is $195.00 at 21 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 99243, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between — and —.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story County Hospital Nevada, IA · (515) 382-2111 PR OFFICE/OP CONSLTJ NEW/EST PT LOW MDM 30 MINUTES | $240.80 | $301.00 | $207.00–$301.00 | 20% | — source file |
Inpatient: lowest $240.80, median $240.80, highest $240.80.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $197.20 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
This is an office or outpatient consultation, when a specialist sees you at another clinician's request for advice. Since 2023 it requires low complexity decision making or at least 30 minutes of total time on the visit date.
What the price covers
The price covers the specialist's consultation. Tests and procedures are billed separately, and hospital clinics may add a facility fee.