No matter how necessary a medical procedure might be, the first question is always, "How much is it going to cost me?" An endoscopy entails using a long tube with a light and camera attached to it to internally examine a number of things through minimally invasive measures. It’s primary use, however, is for gastrointestinal issues, and there are a variety of types of endoscopies, depending on what the doctor is looking for or intending to treat. And the price of the endoscopy depends on what type of endoscopy you’re getting—and your insurance.
Colonoscopy
One of the most common forms of endoscopy is the colonoscopy, and the average cost in the United States is a little over $1,000. Because it is considered preventative care, under new insurance laws, there shouldn’t be even so much as a copay for these kinds of check up. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. And sometimes, they turn out to be upwards of $5,000. If this is the case, experts strongly suggest you call around for a better rate—or someone who has a better handle on how insurance works.
Other Endoscopies
If your insurance plan has a deductible and the endoscopy doesn’t fall under preventative care, you may have to pay out of pocket. Once you’ve hit you’re deductible, since most endoscopies are performed by specialists, most policies will pay for only a percentage of the total cost, leaving the rest of it up to you.
An upper endoscopy, which goes down the throat for evaluation and sometimes treatment of issues in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, is in the neighborhood of $1,600, but that’s assuming there isn’t going to be a biopsy or any other treatment. Adding a biopsy will add about $200 to the price.
A sigmoidoscopy, which doesn’t go quite as far as a colonoscopy, only runs about $850, but when you add a biopsy to this one, it adds almost $500!
Capsule endoscopies, which entail swallowing a camera the size of a large pill and carrying around a receiver that holds the pictures the camera takes as it travels through the GI tract for about eight hours, weighs in at about $1,700. These are used for the small intestine, which is difficult to reach with an endoscopy from either end.
Since treatment for ulcers, cauterizing bleeding vessels, and removal of foreign objects can happen during an endoscopy, it’s nearly impossible to gauge an accurate price for every endoscopy. Especially factoring in that some of these may be emergency situations, which adds even more to the cost. If you have the time and the chance, get a complete run down from your doctor’s office before you walk in the door, and don’t be afraid to call around and get a second opinion on your price.
