Medical examiner warns rising autopsy costs, seeks budget support
Summary
Black Hawk County's medical examiner reported about 106 autopsies last year, estimated autopsy costs of $2,500–$3,000 each, and said his office handled roughly 700 calls with half becoming complete cases; he asked the board to maintain prior-year funding to cover growing costs.
Dr. Mark, the county medical examiner, outlined staffing, call coverage and billing practices during the board's FY27 budget work session. He said the office handles roughly 700 calls per year, about half become complete cases requiring on-site work, and reported about 106 autopsies in the past calendar year. "They can run anywhere from $2,500 to up into the $3,000 range each autopsy," he said, adding those costs are largely beyond local control because autopsies are performed in Ankeny.
Dr. Mark described the office's fee structure ($200 per complete case, $50 per deferred case and a $90 processing fee) and noted the county's increased need for autopsies and transportation; Mercy One provides much of the transport. He told supervisors the department seeks modest increases to maintain service levels, citing variable autopsy numbers and rising ancillary costs such as transport and software for case records.
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