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Observation Care Discharge Day

California rates for HCPCS 99217

The doctor's work on the day you leave hospital after a stay under observation. It covers a final examination, going through the results and what they mean, arranging prescriptions and follow-up appointments, and preparing the discharge paperwork and instructions.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Observation Care Discharge Day cost?

$501

Typical physician fee. In California, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $501 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $79.43 to $501.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $76 · 10th to 90th $76 to $76Professionalmedian $501 · 10th to 90th $69 to $501
$100$200$500facility $76professional $501

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$1,737.80
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$501.19
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$75.86
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$190.55
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$114.82

Where California sits

The same service costs 16.6 times more in Texas than in Idaho. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

California· 9th of 37

$501

TX $501ID $30.20

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.