Application of hot wax bath
Medicare pricing data for 5,606 providers across 51 states
This procedure has a 8.2x markup — hospitals charge $33.61 but Medicare allows only $4.09. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.2 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Application of hot wax bath (HCPCS code 97018) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $4.09, but hospitals typically charge $33.61 — a 8.2x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $4.09, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $0.82. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 8.2x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $3.18 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $5 | $49 | 16 | 85 | +21.5% |
| New York | $5 | $47 | 298 | 10,139 | +14.4% |
| District of Columbia | $5 | $47 | 10 | 311 | +11.2% |
| New Jersey | $4 | $42 | 371 | 15,742 | +7.3% |
| Connecticut | $4 | $38 | 46 | 560 | +5.1% |
| Maryland | $4 | $32 | 195 | 6,396 | +4.9% |
| California | $4 | $32 | 927 | 43,669 | +3.2% |
| Illinois | $4 | $52 | 113 | 975 | +1.0% |
| Rhode Island | $4 | $32 | 21 | 217 | +0.2% |
| Massachusetts | $4 | $21 | 45 | 4,257 | 0.0% |
| Florida | $4 | $30 | 191 | 3,019 | -0.7% |
| Washington | $4 | $24 | 147 | 3,440 | -1.0% |
| Colorado | $4 | $27 | 102 | 3,074 | -1.2% |
| Hawaii | $4 | $27 | 24 | 333 | -1.5% |
| Montana | $4 | $18 | 12 | 137 | -2.2% |
| Delaware | $4 | $43 | 60 | 1,723 | -2.4% |
| Michigan | $4 | $33 | 135 | 1,600 | -2.4% |
| Nevada | $4 | $37 | 90 | 2,853 | -2.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $4 | $38 | 284 | 5,909 | -2.9% |
| Oregon | $4 | $23 | 66 | 916 | -3.4% |
| New Hampshire | $4 | $39 | 8 | 247 | -4.4% |
| Georgia | $4 | $30 | 120 | 1,996 | -4.6% |
| Virginia | $4 | $42 | 138 | 3,485 | -4.6% |
| Wyoming | $4 | $25 | 36 | 991 | -4.6% |
| Texas | $4 | $28 | 205 | 4,713 | -5.9% |
| Arizona | $4 | $29 | 136 | 4,850 | -6.1% |
| Missouri | $4 | $43 | 70 | 1,280 | -6.6% |
| North Dakota | $4 | $32 | 10 | 147 | -6.8% |
| Utah | $4 | $35 | 36 | 316 | -7.1% |
| Puerto Rico | $4 | $12 | 41 | 456 | -7.1% |
| Louisiana | $4 | $34 | 173 | 5,369 | -7.3% |
| Ohio | $4 | $34 | 106 | 1,880 | -7.3% |
| Maine | $4 | $32 | 12 | 114 | -7.8% |
| West Virginia | $4 | $38 | 56 | 788 | -7.8% |
| North Carolina | $4 | $27 | 118 | 2,343 | -8.3% |
| Minnesota | $4 | $29 | 94 | 654 | -8.6% |
| Kentucky | $4 | $19 | 88 | 3,808 | -8.8% |
| South Carolina | $4 | $22 | 68 | 2,436 | -9.3% |
| Wisconsin | $4 | $54 | 110 | 943 | -10.3% |
| Kansas | $4 | $31 | 71 | 1,152 | -11.0% |
| South Dakota | $4 | $28 | 18 | 95 | -11.0% |
| Mississippi | $4 | $26 | 106 | 1,443 | -11.7% |
| Indiana | $4 | $42 | 46 | 339 | -12.0% |
| New Mexico | $4 | $34 | 41 | 433 | -12.0% |
| Alabama | $4 | $38 | 146 | 2,674 | -12.0% |
| Nebraska | $4 | $18 | 40 | 1,034 | -12.2% |
| Oklahoma | $4 | $29 | 64 | 528 | -12.2% |
| Tennessee | $4 | $33 | 146 | 1,711 | -12.2% |
| Idaho | $4 | $17 | 40 | 1,237 | -13.0% |
| Iowa | $4 | $38 | 48 | 349 | -13.2% |
| Arkansas | $4 | $25 | 57 | 793 | -13.7% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber