Critical care (first hour) cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 47 hospitals list a cash price for critical care, first 30 to 74 minutes: from $277.76 to $5,258.00, with a median of $2,290.00. The lowest listed price is at Humboldt Park Health — $2,012.24 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,025.00 at 61 hospitals.
Cash prices at 47 facilities across 35 cities for code 99291, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt Park Health lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Critical care, first 30-74 minutes | $277.76 | $992.00 | $992.00 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 CHED Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min 99291 BCE | $301.95 | $888.10 | $147.69–$4,566.00 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min 99291 | $301.95 | $888.10 | $147.69–$4,566.00 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital|LaRabida Childrens Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CRITICAL CARE, 30-74 >24MOS | $310.65 | $310.65 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Critical Care 1st 30-74 Min | $804.27 | $4,233.00 | $1,024.39–$3,090.09 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 HC Critical Care 1st 30-74 Min W/Procedure (Mod 25) | $804.27 | $4,233.00 | $1,024.39–$3,090.09 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Critical care, first 30-74 minutes | $847.60 | $3,027.15 | $3,027.15 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 ED LEVEL 6 | $880.00 | $8,466.00 | $212.88–$8,466.00 | 90% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $880.00 | $5,389.00 | $220.19–$4,472.87 | 84% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 HC Critical Care 1st 30-74 Min W/Procedure (Mod 25) | $973.59 | $4,233.00 | $1,358.79–$4,082.00 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Critical Care 1st 30-74 Min | $973.59 | $4,233.00 | $1,358.79–$4,082.00 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Pr Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min | $1,056.00 | $1,056.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Pr Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min-Pbb | $1,056.00 | $1,056.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CRITICAL CARE, E/M 30-74 MINUTES | $1,137.50 | $4,550.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 CHED Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min 99291 BCE | $1,278.39 | $3,759.98 | $263.14–$4,620.00 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Critical Care Ill/Injured Patient Init 30-74 Min 99291 | $1,278.39 | $3,759.98 | $263.14–$4,620.00 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $1,405.00 | $2,810.00 | $1,107.14–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Critical Care First Hour | $1,598.10 | $2,283.00 | $417.79–$2,283.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Critical care, first 30-74 minutes | $1,665.88 | $3,331.75 | $885.19–$3,331.75 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $1,690.00 | $3,380.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $1,690.00 | $3,380.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $1,778.37 | $5,389.00 | $518.10–$766.16 | 67% | — source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC OB ED CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $1,964.49 | $5,953.00 | $518.10–$766.16 | 67% | — source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,025.00 | $4,050.00 | $1,267.05–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,025.00 | $4,050.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,070.00 | $4,140.00 | $799.34–$7,285.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,230.00 | $4,460.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,290.00 | $4,580.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,290.00 | $4,580.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $2,380.00 | $4,760.00 | $1,273.61–$11,010.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 EH PR CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $2,406.00 | $2,406.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 EH PR CRITICAL CARE W PROC FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $2,406.00 | $2,406.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 EH PR CRITICAL CARE W PROC FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $2,406.00 | $2,406.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 EH PR CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN | $2,406.00 | $2,406.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Critical Care First Hour | $2,433.20 | $3,476.00 | $650.01–$3,476.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN ER Visit Cc 30-74 Min | $2,558.50 | $3,655.00 | $295.62–$4,132.54 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 ER Visit Cc 30-74 Min | $2,558.50 | $3,655.00 | $295.62–$4,132.54 | 30% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 ER Visit Level 6 | $3,003.00 | $4,620.00 | $623.70–$2,522.52 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL ER Visit Level 6 | $3,003.00 | $4,620.00 | $623.70–$2,522.52 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL ER Visit Level 6 | $3,003.00 | $4,620.00 | $623.70–$2,522.52 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL ER Visit Level 6 | $3,003.00 | $4,620.00 | $623.70–$2,522.52 | 35% | — source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Critical Care First Hour | $3,063.20 | $4,376.00 | $844.57–$4,376.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Critical Care First Hour | $3,063.20 | $4,376.00 | $726.42–$4,376.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Critical Care First Hour | $3,147.90 | $4,497.00 | $643.07–$4,497.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Critical Care First Hour | $3,147.90 | $4,497.00 | $733.01–$4,497.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 ED CRITICAL CARE 30-74 MIN | $3,255.00 | $6,510.00 | $610.59–$6,291.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Critical Care First Hour | $3,531.50 | $5,045.00 | $958.55–$5,045.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Critical Care First Hour | $4,454.00 | $4,454.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB ER VISIT LEVEL 6 | $4,851.00 | $4,851.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB ER VISIT LEVEL 6 | $4,851.00 | $4,851.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB ER VISIT LEVEL 6 | $4,851.00 | $4,851.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC CRITICAL CARE E&M FIRST 30-74 MIN | $5,258.00 | $5,258.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Critical Care E&M First 30-74 Min | $5,258.00 | $5,258.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN W PROC | $6,762.00 | $6,762.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC CRITICAL CARE FIRST 30 TO 74 MIN W PROC | $6,762.00 | $6,762.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Critical Care E&M First 30-74 Min | $10,476.00 | $10,476.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $277.76, median $2,290.00, highest $5,258.00 — a 18.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 33 facilities here, median $2,230.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 28 of 33 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 it is below every plan's rate. 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 code bills care for a life-threatening illness or injury for the first 30 to 74 minutes. It appears on emergency department bills after serious cases and in intensive care.
What the price covers
The price is the hospital's charge. Additional half hours use 99292, and the doctor bills separately.