MS-DRG 544 Fee Schedule
Last Updated: August 2025
Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address high-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | • Diseases & Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System & Connective Tissue |
| Common Place of Service | • 21 - Inpatient Hospital • 22 - On Campus-Outpatient Hospital |
| Common Modifiers | |
| Complexity Level | High |
National average reimbursement for MS-DRG 544 by major payers:
$9,830.80
$11,004.36
$12,230.59
$12,401.35
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Related Codes
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including MS-DRG 544. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 544 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
MS-DRG 544 vs. Other Diseases & Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System & Connective Tissue Codes
The MS-DRG 544 code is part of the Diseases & Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System & Connective Tissue services . It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.
The MS-DRG 544 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.
See what providers are getting paid in 2025 for 544:
MS-DRG 544 Fee Schedule & Reimbursement Rates
The MS-DRG 544 fee schedule varies by payer type. Below are Medicare rates for 2025 and average in-network rates by state across major payers:
Reimbursement rates depend on provider contracts, region, and payer. Always verify rates with your insurance provider or medical billing department.
What is Price Transparency?
The Price Transparency Rule is a federal law that took effect in July 2022, requiring all commercial payers to publicly disclose their prices through machine-readable files (MRFs). This landmark regulation mandates that insurance companies make healthcare costs transparent to the public.
Our data comes directly from these insurer-posted MRFs, ensuring compliance with the Price Transparency Rule. While PayerPrice is working toward a future where providers and payers collaborate for 100% upfront price certainty, it's important to acknowledge that data limitations and occasional errors may exist.
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