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Alaska

Cost of a Colonoscopy Visit
in Alaska

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Alaska's remote geography and limited specialist infrastructure drive healthcare costs approximately 35% above the national average, with Colonoscopy services particularly affected by the state's challenging logistics. While specific cost ranges vary by location and insurance status, Alaska maintains 374 active Colonoscopy providers across its vast territory. Patients can browse all providers in Alaska to compare costs and find the most accessible options for their location.

Average

$269

Median

$80

Lowest

$80

Highest

$648

Providers

374

National avg: $517Alaska: $269

48% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does colonoscopy compare to related procedures in Alaska?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$80$837375
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$80$3,638358
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$105$275$75937
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$80$606373
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$14$80$95388
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$80$80$345372
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$51$328$991375

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 45378Diagnostic colonoscopy, flexible). 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 45378 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 45378 (Diagnostic colonoscopy, flexible), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 45378 covers: the provider's professional fee for colonoscopy. 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.

Why Colonoscopy Visit Costs Vary Across Alaska

Alaska's healthcare costs run approximately 35% above national averages due to the state's extreme geographic isolation, limited transportation infrastructure, and small provider networks concentrated in major population centers. The state's unique challenges include seasonal access issues, high overhead costs for medical facilities, and difficulty recruiting specialists to remote locations.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Anchorage and Fairbanks concentrate most of Alaska's Colonoscopy specialists, while rural communities often lack local access entirely. Patients in remote areas frequently travel hundreds of miles for specialist care, adding significant transportation and lodging costs to medical expenses. Telemedicine helps bridge some gaps, but hands-on Colonoscopy procedures still require travel to urban centers for most rural Alaskans.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient clinics dominate Alaska's specialist landscape due to the financial stability needed to operate in challenging markets. Independent practices face higher proportional overhead costs due to Alaska's expensive utilities, supplies, and staffing challenges. The Alaska Native Medical Center and Providence Alaska Medical Center represent major health systems that influence pricing and access patterns statewide.

Insurance Market Competition in Alaska

Premera Blue Cross holds dominant market share in Alaska's individual and group insurance markets, creating limited insurer competition compared to most states. This concentration affects negotiated rate variations and network adequacy, with fewer alternatives for consumers seeking different coverage options. The limited competition can impact both premium costs and provider reimbursement rates across the state.

Physician Supply and Demand in Alaska

Alaska's 374 active Colonoscopy providers serve a geographically dispersed population, creating adequate supply in urban areas but significant shortages in rural regions. The provider-to-population ratio varies dramatically by region, with Anchorage and Fairbanks having reasonable access while bush communities face severe shortages. This supply imbalance contributes to longer wait times and higher costs in underserved areas, while urban markets maintain more competitive pricing.

JP

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.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Colonoscopy Costs in Alaska

What is the average cost of a Colonoscopy visit in Alaska without insurance?

Without insurance, Colonoscopy visits in Alaska typically range from $80 to $648 based on negotiated rate data, though self-pay patients may face different pricing structures. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts ranging from 20-50% off standard rates. Alaska's higher-than-average healthcare costs mean uninsured patients should expect to pay more than in most other states, making price shopping and payment plan discussions particularly important.

Does Alaska Medicaid cover Colonoscopy visits?

Yes, Alaska expanded Medicaid under the ACA, providing coverage for medically necessary Colonoscopy visits for eligible residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Medicaid typically covers specialist consultations with minimal copays, though some services may require prior authorization. The expansion significantly improved access to gastrointestinal care for lower-income Alaskans who previously faced major financial barriers to specialist treatment.

How do I find an affordable Colonoscopy near me in Alaska?

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices often charge less than hospital-based clinics for routine consultations. Ask about self-pay discounts, sliding scale fees, and payment plans when calling providers directly. Community health centers and the Alaska Native Medical Center may offer lower-cost options for eligible patients, while telehealth consultations can reduce travel costs for initial evaluations.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial Colonoscopy consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients. Based on Alaska's negotiated rate data, costs can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the visit and procedures performed. New patient visits often involve more extensive documentation and longer appointment times, while established patient follow-ups focus on specific ongoing issues and generally cost less.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Colonoscopy visit in Alaska?

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for medically necessary Colonoscopy visits in Alaska. These tax-advantaged accounts cover consultation fees, diagnostic procedures, and related medical expenses. Keep receipts for all Colonoscopy-related costs, including travel expenses if you need to travel for specialist care, as these may also qualify as eligible medical expenses under certain circumstances.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Colonoscopy in Alaska?

Telemedicine consultations typically cost less than in-person visits and can be particularly valuable for Alaska residents in remote locations. While hands-on procedures still require in-person visits, initial consultations, follow-ups, and care coordination can often be handled virtually. Alaska's vast geography makes telehealth especially cost-effective by eliminating travel expenses, though insurance coverage for telemedicine visits varies by plan and may have different copay structures than traditional office visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$231
$1,595

Office visit (CPT 45378)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $73$4,430
$1,595
2North Dakota
Range: $165$2,255
$1,558
3Minnesota
Range: $90$2,255
$1,217
4South Dakota
Range: $85$2,255
$895
5Massachusetts
Range: $113$1,830
$815
6Rhode Island
Range: $91$1,830
$781
7Connecticut
Range: $90$1,830
$748
8Delaware
Range: $95$1,830
$747
9Pennsylvania
Range: $85$1,830
$746
10New York
Range: $101$1,830
$743
11West Virginia
Range: $85$1,395
$612
12Nebraska
Range: $265$815
$594
13New Hampshire
Range: $204$956
$571
14Wyoming
Range: $158$1,057
$530
15North Carolina
Range: $90$1,065
$511
16Georgia
Range: $90$982
$507
17New Jersey
Range: $110$1,117
$505
18New Mexico
Range: $168$954
$502
19Iowa
Range: $85$944
$498
20Maine
Range: $220$674
$485
21Illinois
Range: $85$901
$443
22Utah
Range: $85$741
$441
23District of Columbia
Range: $126$815
$437
24Indiana
Range: $81$835
$425
25Vermont
Range: $106$801
$418
26Missouri
Range: $174$634
$417
27Washington
Range: $80$856
$411
28Oregon
Range: $80$836
$408
29Kentucky
Range: $85$814
$408
30Maryland
Range: $162$712
$396
31Michigan
Range: $92$768
$395
32Colorado
Range: $85$760
$385
33Hawaii
Range: $85$757
$385
34Mississippi
Range: $151$719
$381
35Alabama
Range: $147$649
$373
36Virginia
Range: $124$682
$368
37Louisiana
Range: $116$670
$366
38South Carolina
Range: $90$695
$363
39Idaho
Range: $80$735
$363
40Nevada
Range: $204$553
$351
41Arkansas
Range: $85$634
$345
42Texas
Range: $85$634
$336
43Kansas
Range: $174$530
$331
44Ohio
Range: $85$565
$325
45Tennessee
Range: $90$582
$320
46Oklahoma
Range: $85$606
$303
47Arizona
Range: $155$472
$300
48California
Range: $85$647
$272
49Alaska
Range: $80$648
$269
50Montana
Range: $80$538
$233
51Florida
Range: $35$604
$231
Colonoscopy in Other States