Simple functional ovarian cysts -- which form during ovulation -- are common in reproductive-age women, and often resolve without treatment. But surgery might be recommended if a cyst does not go away, is very large, is causing severe symptoms, or does not seem to be a simple functional cyst and/or is suspected to be cancerous.
Typical costs:
For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for ovarian cyst removal typically would consist of a doctor visit copay and coinsurance of 10-50% or more. Ovarian cyst removal is typically covered by health insurance when medically necessary.
For patients not covered by health insurance, ovarian cyst removal typically costs about $7,000-$15,000 or more. For example, Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[1] in Nebraska charges about $6,500-$9,700, not including doctor fee, for unilateral or bilateral removal of ovarian cysts. And Baptist Memorial Health Care in Tennessee charges about $9,200, not including doctor fee. And the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children[2] in Hawaii charges about $10,500. The doctor fee can add several thousand dollars to the final bill.
In a laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal, which is typically used for a smaller simple functional cyst when cancer is not suspected, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Then the doctor makes several small incisions, inserts a laparoscope and surgical instruments, and removes the cyst. The surgery typically is outpatient, and the patient can go back to work within a day -- or, if strenuous physical activity is required, a week.
In a laparotomy -- open surgery that might be done for very large cysts, cysts on both ovaries or when cancer is suspected -- the patient is placed under general anesthesia. The doctor then makes an incision on the patient's abdomen and looks at the ovaries. If necessary, a sample can be taken for biopsy during surgery. The doctor then removes the cyst and, if necessary, the ovary or ovaries. The surgery is done on an inpatient basis with a hospital stay of two or more days. Full recovery takes six weeks or longer.
WebMD Women's Health offers an overview of ovarian cyst removal[3] and information on laparoscopic vs. open abdominal surgery[4] .
Additional costs:
For patients who repeatedly get functional ovarian cysts -- cysts that form from the egg sac during ovulation -- a doctor might prescribe birth control pills, which cost about $20-$50 a month.
Discounts:
Many hospitals and doctors give discounts of up to 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[5] in California offers a 35% discount. And Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children[6] offers a discount of 40% for uninsured patients if full payment is made within 30 days, or 30% if payment is made within 90 days.
Shopping for ovarian cyst removal:
Ovarian cyst removal should be done by a board-certified gynecologist. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers a doctor finder by state[7] , and board certification can be verified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology[8] . If a cyst might be cancerous, the surgery should be performed by a gynecologic oncologist. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation offers a gynecologic oncologist finder[9] .
Gynecologic oncology[10] is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that requires three to four years of additional training, and a rigorous exam, to receive certification.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Insurance was billed for approximately $17,000. The mentioned fee was only for the surgeon, facility charges and one night in the hospital. I received separate bills for the anesthesiologist, the assisting gynecologist and pathologist. The above figure includes my Blue Cross $2500 copay and the doctors fees. Outrageous?
my wife had a cyst removal back in Feb 2014, The doctor charged us $2,900 and said she will bill the insurance. Today I received notification from the insuarance that she billed $49,000 and received almost $10,000 She also did the surgery at an outside private surgical center as the hospital had a waiting list. Later we found out the hospital had no waiting list and she is a partner/owner in the private surgical center. Do you think she should refund the $2,900 she charged us.
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