ChargemasterDB is a database of hospital prices. The main use case is simple: when insurance denies coverage or you’re uninsured/self-pay, you need hard evidence to negotiate. ChargemasterDB gives you the actual published prices from hospitals nearby for the exact CPT/HCPCS code on your bill. Pull up prices in your zip code, send the hospital (or their billing contractor) a polite email that says:
“Your charge for CPT 74177 is $4,212. The same code at the three closest comparable facilities is $1,100, $1,380, and $1,650. Please adjust to the 25th percentile of $1,380 or provide justification. My evidence is here: https://chargemasterdb.org/code/74177/CA”
Just a necessary tool to stop getting ripped off when the system tries to tell you “that’s just what it costs.”