Colonoscopy Cost for Uninsured

If you don’t have insurance, the thought of paying out of pocket for a colonoscopy might be intimidating, but it is important to remember that you are the consumer, and you can comparison shop to get the best possible price. Shop around for your colonoscopy by calling hospitals and surgery centers to compare services and costs.

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) often charge less than half of what hospitals charge for colonoscopy procedures. Many ASCs have a patient payment estimator to help you figure out how much you’ll pay for your colonoscopy.

When scheduling your appointment, ask about the following fees:

• Pre-procedure consultation (if required)
• Physician fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Any relevant pathology fees (in case you have tissue that needs to be removed and examined)
• Facility fees (which covers all medical professionals, equipment and processes required for a colonoscopy)

There are resources available to you if you are uninsured, such as ColonoscopyAssist. Colonoscopies can be priced above the $3,000 mark in many areas of the country, but programs like ColonoscopyAssist can help reduce your cost to just over $1,000. Although this may still sound like a significant expense, most patients only need to have a colonoscopy once every 10 years. Furthermore, the cost of a colonoscopy is minimal compared to what ongoing treatment for colon cancer could cost. Other resources for low-cost or free colonoscopies are Colon Cancer Alliance and your state’s public health organization.