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Montana

Cost of a Colonoscopy Visit
in Montana

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Montana's vast rural geography creates unique challenges for accessing specialized care, with many patients traveling significant distances for gastrointestinal services. Colonoscopy patients typically pay between $80 and $538, with a median out-of-pocket cost reflecting negotiated insurance rates across the state's 319 active providers. With Montana's Medicaid expansion providing broader coverage and major insurers like BCBS MT negotiating competitive rates, patients can browse all Colonoscopy providers in Montana to find affordable options.

Average

$233

Median

$80

Lowest

$80

Highest

$538

Providers

319

National avg: $517Montana: $233

55% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does colonoscopy compare to related procedures in Montana?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$80$545315
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$80$3,638307
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$90$231$58140
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$80$523327
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$14$14$80367
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$80$80$269318
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$51$68$991354

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 Montana

Montana's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above national averages, driven by the state's rural geography and limited specialist availability outside major population centers. The combination of high overhead costs in remote areas and concentrated provider networks in cities like Billings and Missoula creates significant regional price variations.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of Montana's gastroenterologists practice in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman, forcing rural patients to travel hours for colonoscopy services. This geographic concentration allows urban practices to maintain higher rates while rural areas rely on visiting specialists or outreach clinics. Transportation costs and time off work add substantial indirect expenses for rural Montana residents.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned gastroenterology clinics dominate Montana's major cities, often charging facility fees that increase total colonoscopy costs by 25-40%. Independent practices and ambulatory surgical centers typically offer lower rates but may have limited geographic presence. Billings Clinic and Providence Health systems influence much of the state's specialist pricing through their extensive networks.

Insurance Market Competition in Montana

BCBS MT maintains the largest market share statewide, with PacificSource and UHC providing additional options primarily in urban areas. Limited insurer competition in rural counties reduces leverage for negotiating lower rates with gastroenterology providers. The state's small population relative to its geographic size makes it challenging for new insurers to enter the market competitively.

Physician Supply and Demand in Montana

With 319 active Colonoscopy providers serving nearly 1.1 million residents, Montana maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand imbalance allows gastroenterologists to maintain premium pricing, particularly for complex diagnostic procedures. Wait times for routine colonoscopies can extend 4-8 weeks in smaller cities due to limited provider capacity.

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 Montana

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

Uninsured patients in Montana typically pay $80 to $538 for colonoscopy consultations, with a median cost of $80 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients should ask about cash discounts, which can reduce costs by 15-30% at many practices. Community health centers and rural clinics may offer sliding-scale fees based on income, making care more accessible for uninsured Montanans.

Does Montana Medicaid cover Colonoscopy visits?

Yes, Montana Medicaid covers colonoscopy visits following the state's expansion in 2016, providing access for adults up to 138% of federal poverty level. Both screening and diagnostic colonoscopies are covered services, with screening procedures having no cost-sharing requirements. Patients may need referrals from primary care providers, but emergency consultations are covered without prior authorization.

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

Compare costs between hospital-owned clinics and independent gastroenterology practices, as facility fees can add hundreds to your bill. Rural health centers and federally qualified health centers offer sliding-scale fees for qualifying patients. Many practices provide self-pay discounts of 15-30% when you pay upfront, and some participate in state programs for uninsured residents.

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

Initial gastroenterology consultations typically cost $80-538 based on complexity and time spent, while follow-up visits generally range in the lower portion of this spectrum. New patient visits involve comprehensive evaluation and often include procedure planning, justifying higher costs. Established patient follow-ups for routine monitoring or post-procedure care are usually shorter and less expensive than initial consultations.

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

Yes, both HSA and FSA funds can be used for gastroenterology consultations and colonoscopy procedures as qualified medical expenses. These tax-advantaged accounts help reduce your effective cost when paying deductibles or copays. Keep receipts for documentation, and remember that HSA funds roll over annually while FSA funds typically must be used within the plan year.

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

Telemedicine consultations with gastroenterologists typically cost 20-40% less than in-person visits and are particularly valuable for Montana's rural residents. Virtual visits work well for follow-up care, test result discussions, and initial symptom evaluation, though physical procedures still require in-person visits. Many insurance plans now cover telehealth at the same rate as office visits, making this an accessible option for routine gastroenterology care.

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