Appendectomy Cost

Typical costs:

• An appendectomy would be covered by health insurance. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a doctor copay, possibly an emergency room copay, prescription drug copays, a hospital copay of $100 or more, and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the procedure, which could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, an appendectomy typically costs about $10,000-$35,000 or more, depending on the provider, whether the operation is open or laparoscopic, and whether there are complications. For example, at Wright Medical Center[1] in Iowa, an uncomplicated open appendectomy costs about $7,900, including a doctor fee of about $1,600, while a laparoscopic appendectomy costs just under $12,000, including a doctor fee of about $1,600. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Nebraska, an open appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy, when there is no abscess, typically costs $9,200-$19,500, not including the doctor fees, which can add several thousand dollars to the final bill. When abscess is present, the costs can range from $15,500 to $30,700 or more. An American College of Surgeons study[3] showed that laparoscopic appendectomy costs about 9%more than conventional surgery for patients with complicated appendicitis with abscess and 22%more for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis without abscess.
• On eHealthForum.com[4] , patients discuss their appendectomy costs.

• Because there is no definitive test for appendicitis[5] , the doctor will evaluate symptoms and possibly test white blood cell count to look for infection and/or order an ultrasound or CT scan to make a diagnosis. Appendicitis usually requires emergency surgery because an infected appendix can burst and cause a life-threatening infection of the abdomen.
• In open surgery, the patient will be placed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon will make a small incision on the right side of the abdomen, remove the appendix and close the incision. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon will make a much smaller incision and use surgical tools and a camera, inserted through the incision, to remove the appendix. In some cases, the surgeon will discover during surgery that there is no infection in the appendix; the surgeon might remove the appendix anyway as a preventive measure.
• If the appendix has burst, the surgeon might need to insert a drainage tube in the abdomen to remove the pus; after a few weeks of drainage, the surgeon can then perform the appendectomy.
• A hospital stay of one to three days typically is required, and full recovery can take up to six weeks.
• The National Institutes of Health offers an overview[6] of the appendectomy procedure.

• For diagnosis, an ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen can add up to $1,000 or more to the final bill.
• The doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics, which can cost up to $150 or more, depending on the regimen.

• Many doctors and hospitals give discounts of up to 40% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[7] in California offers a 35% discount.
• In some cases, where the appendix has not ruptured, it might be possible to manage appendicitis solely with antibiotics. MedicineNet.com has information on non-surgical appendicitis treatment[8] .

• Anyone who has symptoms that could indicate appendicitis -- such as pain, especially in the right lower abdomen, abdominal swelling, fever, nausea, vomiting or constipation -- should get to a doctor or emergency room as quickly as possible.
• A family physician or emergency room doctor can make a referral to a surgeon. Or, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery offers a locator[9] for board-certified colon and rectal surgeons by city and state.

1.  www.iowaspecialtyhospital.com/index.php?option=com_costestimator&Itemid=189
2.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
3.  www.facs.org/news/jacs/treatingappendicitis0209.html
4.  ehealthforum.com/health/topic8529.html
5.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/
6.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002921.htm
7.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
8.  www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=86652
9.  www.abcrs.org/cgi-bin/search.pl

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Do Body Piercings Cost?		How Much Does a Heart Stent Cost?		How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Make sure your gutters are clean before they start to fill up again this fall. Are you planning a Labor Day picnic? Need a new charcoal grill? Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. The late August sun can leave a mark. Check out sunburn treatment options.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more] -nervouschomper Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more] -Gregory Richardson Interpreter Cost Dat Paid: 495.00 This is how much I am paying... [more] -Calista Christian Dental Admission Test Cost Shingrix Paid: 48.00 ... [more] -Not that BB Shingles Vaccine Cost Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more] -D’s mom Allergy Testing Cost Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat Paid: 0.00 13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more] -Terrimarie Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost