Diverticulitis Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Treatment of diverticulitis typically is covered by health insurance. For patients covered by health insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs would include doctor visit copays, prescription drug copays, possibly a hospital copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for surgery, which could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
• For patients without health insurance, treatment for diverticulitis typically costs less than $500 for home care and oral antibiotics up to $50,000 or more for surgery. For example, at Drugstore.com, the antibiotic Cipro costs about $177 for 30 tablets and Flagyl typically costs about $180 for 30 tablets, while generic versions cost less than $20 for 30 tablets. If hospitalization with IV antibiotics is required, costs can reach $10,000 or more, depending on the length of the hospital stay. According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality[1] , the average length of hospitalization for diverticulitis is about five days, with an average total cost of $8,300. If surgery is required -- usually in less than 20% of diverticulitis cases -- it typically costs about $30,000-$50,000 or more. For example, at Wright Medical Center[2] in Iowa, a partial colectomy costs about $28,400, including a doctor fee of about $3,700. At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center[3] , bowel surgery costs about $47,000 after the uninsured discount of 30%. Pali Momi Medical Center[4] in Hawaii charges about $33,000 for major intestinal surgery, but that could be reduced to about $19,900 for self-pay patients who pay within 30 days or $23,200 for payment within 90 days. And Straub Clinic & Hospital[5] in Hawaii would charge about $50,800 for intestinal surgery, but the amount could be reduced to about $30,500 for self-pay patients who pay within 30 days or $35,600 if they pay within 90 days. If complications occur after surgery, a longer hospitalization might be required, which can drive costs higher.

• In less complicated cases, the doctor might prescribe at-home treatment: a liquid diet for several days with antibiotics to heal the infection. This regimen typically is followed by a transition to low-fiber solid foods, then to a higher-fiber diet, which can help ease symptoms and promote colon health. The Mayo Clinic has a primer on diet and diverticulitis[6] .
• If a patient has a painful diverticulitis attack with a serious infection, hospitalization with IV antibiotics is sometimes required.
• In more serious cases, such as repeated, debilitating attacks or if an abscess or perforation is present, a doctor might recommend surgery. If there is an abscess, the doctor might first place a catheter to drain it and prescribe antibiotics. For surgery, the doctor will make one incision for open surgery, or several smaller ones for laparoscopic surgery, and will remove the inflamed portion of the intestine. The surgeon typically will then reconnect the intestine or perform a temporary colostomy[7] to allow the intestine to heal before it can be reconnected in another surgery six to 12 weeks later. A hospital stay of three to seven days usually is required, and full recovery takes up to two months.
• The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse offers a guide to diverticulitis[8] . The Mayo Clinic has information on self-care[9] and treatments[10] .

• Doctors sometimes recommend a fiber product such as Metamucil[11] or Citrucel[12] , which typically cost about $10-$30.
• If surgery is required, and if the surgeon performs a colostomy, colostomy bags and other supplies could cost up to several hundred dollars per month. For example, BestBuyOstomy.com[13] sells 10 bags for about $20, and sells 30 skin-protector flanges for about $45.

• Many doctors and hospitals give discounts of up to 30%or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[14] in California offers a 35% discount.

• A family doctor can provide a referral to a gastroenterologist. Or The American College of Gastroenterology offers a physician locator[15] . Make sure the gastroenterologist is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine[16] .
• If surgery is required, the gastroenterologist can make a referral. Or, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery offers a locator[17] for board-certified colon and rectal surgeons by city and state.

1.  www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb12.pdf
2.  www.iowaspecialtyhospital.com/index.php?option=com_costestimator&Itemid=189
3.  patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
4.  www.palimomi.org/my-hospital-bill/uninsured-calculator.aspx
5.  www.straubhealth.org/sch/my-hospital-bill/uninsured-calculator.aspx
6.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis-diet/my00736
7.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002942.htm
8.  digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/
9.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis/DS00070/DSECTION=lifestyle%2Dand%2Dhome%2...
10.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis/DS00070/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
11.  www.drugstore.com/medicine-and-health/fibers/qxg184252-0
12.  www.drugstore.com/medicine-and-health/fibers/qxg184252-0
13.  www.bestbuyostomy.com/ostomy_supplies_product_info
14.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
15.  patients.gi.org/find-a-gastroenterologist/
16.  www.abim.org/online/contact.aspx
17.  www.abcrs.org/cgi-bin/search.pl

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost?		How Much Do Braces Cost?		How Much Does Hip Replacement 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