Capsule endoscopy Cost by Hospital

Capsule endoscopy is an endoscopic (scope) procedure. Prices are from 1386 US hospitals across 51 states, from their machine-readable files.

$2,139median cash price · 1386 hospitals, 51 statestypically $784–$5,750 depending on the hospital
≈ 2.7× Medicare · On the higher sideFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$3,579
Cash / self-pay
$2,139
Insurer-negotiated
$1,190
Medicare pays
$802
$784$5,750
Median cash $2,139  ·  Medicare $802  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $2,139 — about 2.7× the Medicare rate ($802). On the higher side. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($1,605).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $3,579 list price could save about $1,440 (40%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Montgomery General Hospital Montgomery, WV $324 $1,251 — 110 min 14.7%
Oklahoma Center for Orthopaedic & Multi-Sp Oklahoma City, OK $333 $1,748 — — 15.3%
Finley Hospital Dubuque, IA $338 $916 ★ 3/5 114 min 16.0%
Jones Regional Medical Center Anamosa, IA $338 $622 ★ 4/5 113 min 14.7%
Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA $346 $1,167 ★ 4/5 259 min 14.8%
Sidney Health Center Sidney, MT $365 $1,116 ★ 3/5 152 min 14.7%
Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center Bristol, TN $382 $895 ★ 2/5 192 min 15.8%
Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center Kingsport, TN $382 $895 ★ 2/5 207 min 14.8%
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Rogersville, TN $382 $856 — 112 min 14.9%
Greeneville Community Hospital Greeneville, TN $382 $876 ★ 2/5 159 min 16.0%
Lonesome Pine Hospital Big Stone Gap, VA $382 $925 ★ 4/5 132 min 15.7%
Jennie Stuart Medical Center Hopkinsville, KY $396 $656 ★ 1/5 156 min 15.5%
Hospital Pavia Caguas Caguas, PR $400 $105 — — 17.1%
Jefferson Regional Medical Center Pine Bluff, AR $410 $844 ★ 1/5 200 min 15.3%
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, OH $421 $666 — — —
Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock North Little Rock, AR $445 $891 ★ 1/5 213 min 15.8%
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock Little Rock, AR $445 $891 ★ 3/5 146 min 16.1%
University of Michigan Health-West Wyoming, MI $456 $497 ★ 4/5 184 min 14.5%
Kings Daughters Medical Center Ohio Portsmouth, OH $487 $974 — 151 min —
Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital Nacogdoches, TX $496 $1,075 ★ 2/5 178 min 15.4%
Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, CA $507 $1,167 ★ 4/5 193 min 15.3%
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla La Jolla, CA $507 $1,167 ★ 5/5 180 min 13.8%
Scripps Green Hospital La Jolla, CA $507 $1,167 ★ 5/5 — 13.9%
Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas Encinitas, CA $507 $1,167 ★ 4/5 194 min 14.5%
Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Monroe, LA $512 $852 ★ 3/5 155 min 15.2%

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated June 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Capsule endoscopy

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $2,139; Medicare pays $802.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 186
$549
$84 – $827
Univera 12
$591
$91 – $855
Anthem 328
$783
$177 – $3,388
Highmark 72
$796
$141 – $1,584
Priority Health 40
$808
$149 – $2,806
Amerigroup 110
$810
$517 – $1,084
Medicare 298
$826
$110 – $1,167
Tricare / VA 196
$864
$230 – $1,289
Molina Healthcare 376
$869
$117 – $1,892
AmeriHealth 130
$884
$160 – $3,589
Humana 580
$908
$190 – $2,746
Devoted Health 105
$909
$611 – $1,049
Geisinger 37
$922
$221 – $2,242
UCare 32
$947
$113 – $1,946
Centene / Ambetter 488
$977
$178 – $2,896
UPMC Health Plan 48
$999
$617 – $2,313
HealthPartners 116
$1,036
$201 – $3,144
Independent Health 22
$1,056
$161 – $1,861
Aetna 761
$1,088
$248 – $3,232
Blue Cross Blue Shield 708
$1,111
$208 – $3,849
Sanford Health Plan 29
$1,118
$189 – $2,260
MVP Health Care 51
$1,132
$132 – $2,852
Kaiser Permanente 153
$1,139
$407 – $3,547
Harvard Pilgrim 35
$1,141
$293 – $2,633
Medica 82
$1,172
$331 – $2,686
UnitedHealthcare 893
$1,225
$416 – $4,951
Bright Health 22
$1,270
$1,176 – $1,900
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 68
$1,467
$252 – $3,997
Cigna 576
$1,533
$471 – $4,148
Security Health Plan 30
$1,568
$331 – $2,900
Coventry 59
$1,588
$429 – $3,296
SelectHealth 32
$1,593
$543 – $2,989
AvMed 41
$1,711
$788 – $4,134
Health Net 152
$2,100
$482 – $4,304
Healthcare Highways 37
$2,434
$1,709 – $3,160
MultiPlan / PHCS network 440
$2,471
$740 – $4,860
EmblemHealth 47
$2,496
$808 – $18,105
Oscar Health 156
$3,623
$1,230 – $4,723

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
New Mexico$665
Arkansas$934
Louisiana$948
Maryland$973
Arizona$986
New Jersey$1,088

Prices by city

Chicago, ILAustin, TXPhiladelphia, PANew York, NYDallas, TXHouston, TXCincinnati, OHBrooklyn, NYCharlotte, NCKansas City, MOSacramento, CAArlington, TXBirmingham, ALBronx, NYEl Paso, TXFort Worth, TXLittle Rock, ARLos Angeles, CAMilwaukee, WINashville, TNRochester, NYSaint Louis, MOSan Diego, CAAlbuquerque, NM

Prices by state

CaliforniaTexasFloridaOhioNew YorkWisconsinIllinoisMichiganPennsylvaniaNorth CarolinaMinnesotaTennesseeGeorgiaColoradoMissouriNew JerseyLouisianaMassachusettsIndianaIowaOklahomaMaineAlabamaKansasVirginiaWashingtonArkansasMississippiWest VirginiaArizonaIdahoSouth CarolinaUtahNebraskaKentuckyConnecticutMontanaNew MexicoNew HampshireWyomingDelawareSouth DakotaMarylandOregonNorth DakotaNevadaHawaii

About these prices

Based on prices published by 1386 US hospitals across 51 states, the typical (median) cash price is $2,139, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $3,579, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $1,190, a Medicare rate of about $802. Most cash prices fall between $784 and $5,750 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Capsule endoscopy cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 1386 US hospitals is $2,139. Most hospitals fall between $784 and $5,750. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
What does Medicare pay for Capsule endoscopy?
Medicare pays about $802. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Capsule endoscopy prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

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