How much does a NICU stay cost in Louisiana?
That's the typical price in Louisiana before insurance — most people land between $4,099 and $147,904. That's 9% below the US average of $71,158.
What you'd actually pay
| Typical employer or Silver plan | $10,600 |
| Uninsured (hospital cash price) | $71,494 |
Silver assumes a $5,304 deductible, 20% coinsurance, capped at the $10,600 out-of-pocket maximum. If you're uninsured, ask about charity care — nonprofit hospitals can't bill you list price if you qualify, and most people never ask.
Try your own plan →Why Louisiana costs what it does
Louisiana hospitals charge private insurers 232% of what Medicare pays for the same care. The national average is 254%.
#37 most expensive of 50 states
The same care costs $45,384 in Arkansas and $96,932 in Florida — a 2.1× spread for identical treatment. Where you live is one of the biggest single factors in your bill.
Compare nearby states
An estimate, not a bill. Built from published data: the national price from Health Care Cost Institute — NICU use and spending, scaled by Louisiana's hospital price level from RAND. Your actual bill depends on your hospital, your plan and your diagnosis. Not medical or financial advice. How we work this out →