Abscess incision and drainage Cost by Hospital

Abscess incision and drainage is a surgical procedure. Prices are from 2375 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$411median cash price · 2375 hospitals, 52 statestypically $168–$1,053 depending on the hospital
≈ 2.4× Medicare · On the higher sideFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$708
Cash / self-pay
$411
Insurer-negotiated
$370
Medicare pays
$174
$168$1,053
Median cash $411  ·  Medicare $174  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $411 — about 2.4× the Medicare rate ($174). On the higher side. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($349).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $708 list price could save about $297 (42%).

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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
Doctors' Center Bayamon Bayamon, PR $63 $186 — — 16.6%
Doctors' Center Hospital, Inc Manati, PR $63 $186 ★ 1/5 — 16.3%
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Newark, NY $66 $185 ★ 2/5 206 min 16.3%
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Carson Carson City, MI $68 $234 ★ 4/5 95 min 15.2%
Edward W Sparrow Hospital Lansing, MI $68 $214 ★ 3/5 301 min 13.6%
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Clinton Saint Johns, MI $68 $179 ★ 4/5 183 min 15.0%
St Gabriels Hospital Little Falls, MN $70 $226 ★ 4/5 139 min 14.7%
Saint Vincent Hospital Erie, PA $73 $190 ★ 4/5 212 min 14.7%
Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz, CA $73 $530 ★ 4/5 194 min 14.2%
Unity Health-Jacksonville Jacksonville, AR $75 — — 130 min 15.2%
Unity Health-Newport Newport, AR $75 — — 104 min 15.4%
Doctor's Center De San Juan Santurce, PR $75 $186 — — 15.5%
Byrd Regional Hospital Leesville, LA $77 $180 ★ 2/5 123 min 17.4%
Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Leesville Leesville, LA $77 $180 — — —
Jefferson Hospital Louisville, GA $77 $180 — 92 min 15.2%
Jefferson Hospital Jefferson Hills, PA $77 $180 ★ 4/5 172 min 15.4%
O'connor Hospital Delhi, NY $78 $124 — 88 min 14.7%
Little Falls Hospital Little Falls, NY $78 $101 ★ 2/5 110 min 15.7%
Cobleskill Regional Hospital Cobleskill, NY $78 $120 ★ 4/5 109 min 14.6%
Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc Manhattan, KS $80 $202 ★ 4/5 141 min 14.6%
North Central Surgical Center Llp Dallas, TX $80 $3,986 — 107 min 14.2%
Bleckley Memorial Hospital Cochran, GA $81 $150 — 125 min 14.9%
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights Harker Heights, TX $83 $276 ★ 4/5 174 min 16.3%
Bassett Healthcare Cooperstown, NY $84 $175 ★ 2/5 199 min 15.6%
University Medical Center of El Paso El Paso, TX $85 $265 ★ 3/5 242 min 15.4%

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 July 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 Abscess incision and drainage

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: $411; Medicare pays $174.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 361
$57
$10 – $341
Medicare 572
$90
$16 – $407
Amerigroup 168
$112
$68 – $429
Univera 15
$113
$12 – $196
Highmark 140
$184
$35 – $722
Geisinger 76
$192
$34 – $960
Tricare / VA 402
$193
$52 – $482
Molina Healthcare 590
$193
$59 – $951
AmeriHealth 235
$201
$31 – $931
Centene / Ambetter 819
$210
$47 – $948
Devoted Health 168
$220
$137 – $428
Priority Health 60
$231
$107 – $526
Anthem 568
$232
$49 – $2,874
Independent Health 36
$235
$95 – $638
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1358
$241
$51 – $1,120
Humana 1067
$247
$87 – $2,188
Kaiser Permanente 233
$264
$56 – $945
UCare 83
$268
$100 – $661
UPMC Health Plan 109
$274
$61 – $936
MVP Health Care 81
$307
$120 – $1,018
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 132
$313
$59 – $678
Harvard Pilgrim 47
$319
$135 – $733
HealthPartners 257
$333
$80 – $755
UnitedHealthcare 1571
$355
$98 – $2,113
Medica 243
$357
$135 – $995
Coventry 150
$359
$118 – $970
Sanford Health Plan 82
$361
$107 – $651
Health Net 302
$387
$59 – $1,334
Security Health Plan 65
$395
$123 – $771
SelectHealth 46
$407
$183 – $4,882
Aetna 1447
$407
$108 – $3,066
EmblemHealth 64
$485
$183 – $12,590
MultiPlan / PHCS network 811
$536
$178 – $1,180
AvMed 63
$566
$236 – $8,971
Cigna 1177
$597
$147 – $6,461
Bright Health 57
$827
$407 – $2,644
Healthcare Highways 47
$2,069
$259 – $14,320
Oscar Health 230
$2,236
$169 – $3,100

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
Puerto Rico$69
Mississippi$208
Utah$208
Vermont$218
New Hampshire$228
Louisiana$234

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PAAustin, TXDallas, TXHouston, TXFort Worth, TXPittsburgh, PABaltimore, MDCincinnati, OHNew York, NYSacramento, CABrooklyn, NYKansas City, MOOklahoma City, OKBronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHLos Angeles, CANashville, TNPlano, TXSaint Louis, MOArlington, TXBaton Rouge, LABirmingham, AL

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioPennsylvaniaFloridaWisconsinNew YorkIllinoisMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaTennesseeGeorgiaMissouriIowaColoradoNebraskaOklahomaKentuckyArkansasKansasIndianaWashingtonArizonaSouth DakotaVirginiaMassachusettsMississippiWest VirginiaAlabamaMaineSouth CarolinaNew JerseyMarylandNorth DakotaOregonIdahoMontanaConnecticutNew HampshireUtahNew MexicoNevadaHawaiiWyomingPuerto RicoVermontDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

Does Medicare cover Abscess incision and drainage?

Yes — Medicare generally covers Abscess incision and drainage. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $174. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $35 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2375 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $411, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $708, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $370, a Medicare rate of about $174. Most cash prices fall between $168 and $1,053 — 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 Abscess incision and drainage cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2375 US hospitals is $411. Most hospitals fall between $168 and $1,053. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover Abscess incision and drainage?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $174). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for Abscess incision and drainage?
Medicare pays about $174. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Abscess incision and drainage 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.

Related Surgery & Procedures

Abscess drainage (simple)Abscess drainage (complex or multiple)Foreign body removal (skin)Simple wound stitchesBurn treatmentSimple laceration repair (small, up to 2.5 cm)Burn dressing and debridement (small)Skin biopsy

See more Surgery & Procedures.