Cost of a C-Section Visit
in Alabama
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Alabama's maternal care landscape includes over 2,366 active C-Section providers across the state, reflecting the critical need for obstetric services in both urban centers and rural communities. Patients typically pay between $1,632 and $3,518 for C-Section procedures, with a median cost of $2,253 based on negotiated insurance rates. With Alabama's non-expanded Medicaid status affecting coverage options, patients can browse all C-Section providers statewide to compare costs and find the most affordable care options.
Average
$2,468
Median
$2,253
Lowest
$1,632
Highest
$3,518
Providers
2,366
35% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does c-section compare to related procedures in Alabama?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal Delivery Routine obstetric care including vaginal delivery | 59400 | $80 | $1,963 | $3,069 | 2,655 |
Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.
The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 59510 — Routine obstetric care including cesarean delivery). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.
Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.
This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.
Where this data comes from & what CPT 59510 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 59510 (Routine obstetric care including cesarean delivery), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 59510 covers: the provider's professional fee for c-section. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.
How to read this data
Negotiated Rate
The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.
P5, Median, P95
P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.
What this does not tell you
These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.
Top-Rated Hospitals in Alabama
These hospitals in Alabama are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
FAYETTE, AL
DADEVILLE, AL
PHENIX CITY, AL
BIRMINGHAM, AL
TROY, AL
Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.
Why C-Section Visit Costs Vary Across Alabama
Alabama's C-Section costs run approximately 33% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and less competitive insurance market dynamics. The state's predominantly rural geography creates significant access challenges, with many counties lacking obstetric providers and requiring patients to travel to urban centers for delivery services.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Alabama's rural counties face severe obstetric provider shortages, with many women traveling to Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, or Huntsville for delivery services, including C-Sections. This geographic concentration drives up demand at urban hospitals while leaving rural facilities with limited obstetric capabilities. The lack of rural competition can result in higher costs at major medical centers that serve large geographic regions.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Major health systems like UAB Medicine, Baptist Health, and Huntsville Hospital typically charge higher facility fees for C-Section procedures due to their comprehensive NICU capabilities and 24/7 maternal-fetal medicine coverage. Independent community hospitals and birthing centers may offer lower base costs but have varying capabilities for handling complications requiring emergency surgical intervention. The choice between facility types often balances cost considerations against the level of specialized care available.
Insurance Market Competition in Alabama
BCBS Alabama's market dominance creates a relatively stable but less competitive environment for negotiating provider rates, which can result in less aggressive pricing pressure compared to states with multiple major insurers. The concentrated market means most Alabama obstetric providers accept BCBS coverage, but patients with other insurers may face more limited network options. This market structure contributes to the state's below-average C-Section costs while potentially limiting consumer choice.
Physician Supply and Demand in Alabama
With 2,366 active C-Section providers serving the state's population, Alabama maintains reasonable physician availability in urban areas but faces significant shortages in rural regions. The concentration of obstetricians in major metropolitan areas creates competition that can help moderate costs, while rural areas with limited providers may see higher prices due to lack of alternatives. This supply distribution affects both access and pricing, with patients often traveling significant distances for obstetric care.
Jayant Panwar
CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA
Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.
The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — C-Section Costs in Alabama
What is the average cost of a C-Section visit in Alabama without insurance?
Does Alabama Medicaid cover C-Section visits?
How do I find an affordable C-Section near me in Alabama?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a C-Section visit in Alabama?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a C-Section in Alabama?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 59510)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Range: $2,043 – $19,329 | $13,567 |
| 2 | West Virginia Range: $2,199 – $19,329 | $8,244 |
| 3 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $18,189 | $7,236 |
| 4 | Iowa Range: $85 – $12,254 | $5,786 |
| 5 | Minnesota Range: $90 – $12,428 | $5,136 |
| 6 | Alaska Range: $98 – $11,867 | $5,001 |
| 7 | Nebraska Range: $2,560 – $6,114 | $4,565 |
| 8 | New York Range: $2,228 – $7,603 | $4,543 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Range: $2,111 – $7,609 | $4,495 |
| 10 | Georgia Range: $1,846 – $7,945 | $4,411 |
| 11 | Wyoming Range: $2,474 – $6,748 | $4,393 |
| 12 | Maine Range: $2,875 – $5,140 | $4,261 |
| 13 | New Hampshire Range: $2,156 – $5,919 | $4,190 |
| 14 | Washington Range: $2,480 – $6,440 | $4,088 |
| 15 | Rhode Island Range: $1,996 – $5,919 | $3,929 |
| 16 | Connecticut Range: $2,007 – $6,163 | $3,864 |
| 17 | South Dakota Range: $1,979 – $6,114 | $3,710 |
| 18 | California Range: $1,979 – $5,068 | $3,697 |
| 19 | District of Columbia Range: $2,100 – $5,187 | $3,684 |
| 20 | New Mexico Range: $2,093 – $5,520 | $3,679 |
| 21 | Vermont Range: $2,280 – $5,532 | $3,612 |
| 22 | Colorado Range: $1,979 – $5,427 | $3,602 |
| 23 | Hawaii Range: $2,156 – $5,068 | $3,508 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania Range: $1,743 – $5,806 | $3,501 |
| 25 | New Jersey Range: $1,847 – $5,806 | $3,468 |
| 26 | Idaho Range: $1,979 – $5,262 | $3,443 |
| 27 | Utah Range: $1,250 – $4,802 | $3,232 |
| 28 | Oregon Range: $95 – $6,223 | $3,220 |
| 29 | Delaware Range: $1,985 – $4,794 | $3,163 |
| 30 | North Carolina Range: $1,753 – $4,945 | $3,138 |
| 31 | Indiana Range: $81 – $6,574 | $3,122 |
| 32 | North Dakota Range: $92 – $6,114 | $3,120 |
| 33 | Montana Range: $96 – $6,114 | $3,054 |
| 34 | Maryland Range: $2,100 – $4,565 | $2,988 |
| 35 | Illinois Range: $80 – $6,052 | $2,938 |
| 36 | Arkansas Range: $1,601 – $4,386 | $2,929 |
| 37 | Michigan Range: $1,926 – $4,497 | $2,921 |
| 38 | South Carolina Range: $1,652 – $4,450 | $2,855 |
| 39 | Tennessee Range: $1,874 – $3,931 | $2,787 |
| 40 | Virginia Range: $1,695 – $4,355 | $2,783 |
| 41 | Ohio Range: $1,401 – $4,305 | $2,685 |
| 42 | Louisiana Range: $1,666 – $3,854 | $2,683 |
| 43 | Missouri Range: $1,970 – $3,300 | $2,644 |
| 44 | Arizona Range: $1,875 – $3,966 | $2,607 |
| 45 | Kansas Range: $1,970 – $3,374 | $2,595 |
| 46 | Oklahoma Range: $1,795 – $3,423 | $2,498 |
| 47 | Alabama Range: $1,632 – $3,518 | $2,468 |
| 48 | Texas Range: $90 – $4,541 | $2,460 |
| 49 | Nevada Range: $1,400 – $3,868 | $2,415 |
| 50 | Mississippi Range: $1,789 – $3,249 | $2,402 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $3,675 | $1,255 |