Cost of a C-Section Visit
in South Dakota
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
South Dakota ranks among the states with the lowest physician density per capita, yet maintains 56 active C-Section providers across its largely rural landscape. C-Section patients typically pay between $1,979 and $6,114, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $3,036 based on negotiated insurance rates. Patients can browse all available C-Section providers throughout South Dakota to compare costs and find in-network options.
Average
$3,710
Median
$3,036
Lowest
$1,979
Highest
$6,114
Providers
56
2% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does c-section compare to related procedures in South Dakota?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaginal Delivery Routine obstetric care including vaginal delivery | 59400 | $85 | $2,621 | $5,554 | 59 |
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 South Dakota
These hospitals in South Dakota are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
RAPID CITY, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
DAKOTA DUNES, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
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 South Dakota
C-Section costs in South Dakota run approximately 10% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive rural healthcare market. The state's sparse population density creates unique cost dynamics where rural hospitals compete aggressively for patients while urban centers like Sioux Falls command premium pricing.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Sioux Falls and Rapid City concentrate most of South Dakota's high-volume OB-GYN practices and birthing centers, while rural counties often rely on family practitioners for basic prenatal care. Rural hospitals frequently offer competitive C-Section pricing to prevent patient migration to urban centers. Travel costs to urban specialists can offset any potential savings for rural patients seeking specialized maternal care.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Sanford Health and Avera Health dominate South Dakota's hospital market, with their employed physician practices typically charging higher rates than independent OB-GYN groups. Hospital-based birthing centers carry higher facility fees but offer comprehensive NICU services that independent practices cannot provide. Critical access hospitals in rural areas often have lower overhead costs, resulting in more competitive C-Section pricing.
Insurance Market Competition in South Dakota
Limited insurer competition between Wellmark BCBS, Sanford Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare reduces negotiating pressure on provider rates. Wellmark's dominant market position in South Dakota gives it significant leverage in rate negotiations with hospitals and specialists. The lack of a robust individual insurance marketplace limits consumer choice and price competition.
Physician Supply and Demand in South Dakota
With 56 active C-Section providers serving a population of 900,000, South Dakota maintains adequate OB-GYN coverage despite rural access challenges. The state's physician shortage in rural areas drives some pregnant women to travel significant distances for specialized care. Recruitment incentives and loan forgiveness programs help maintain physician supply, though competition for specialists keeps urban pricing elevated.
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 South Dakota
What is the average cost of a C-Section visit in South Dakota without insurance?
Does South Dakota Medicaid cover C-Section visits?
How do I find an affordable C-Section near me in South Dakota?
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 South Dakota?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a C-Section in South Dakota?
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 |