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North Carolina

Cost of a Colonoscopy Visit
in North Carolina

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Carolina's growing ambulatory surgery center market has created more competitive pricing options for Colonoscopy procedures across the state. Patients typically pay between $90 and $1,065 for a diagnostic colonoscopy, with a median negotiated rate of $378 based on insurance contracts with the state's 2,531 active providers. The Tar Heel State offers patients access to specialists in both major metropolitan areas like Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham as well as rural communities, allowing patients to browse all providers in North Carolina to find the best option for their needs.

Average

$511

Median

$378

Lowest

$90

Highest

$1,065

Providers

2,531

National avg: $517North Carolina: $511

1% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does colonoscopy compare to related procedures in North Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$444$1,2682,531
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$543$1,4332,407
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$120$298$8532,213
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$318$1,0882,729
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$14$26$852,727
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$68$194$5012,737
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$44$107$2722,508

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 North Carolina

North Carolina's colonoscopy costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of academic medical centers and community practices. The growing ambulatory surgery center market has increased competition and created more affordable options for routine procedures.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas concentrate most gastroenterology specialists, while rural counties in eastern and western North Carolina face provider shortages. Patients in areas like the Outer Banks or Appalachian counties may travel significant distances for specialized care. This geographic disparity creates cost variations based on local competition and facility overhead.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Major health systems like Atrium Health, Novant Health, and UNC Health dominate North Carolina's market, often charging higher facility fees than independent practices. Ambulatory surgery centers have expanded rapidly across the state, offering lower-cost alternatives to hospital-based procedures. Free-standing endoscopy centers typically provide the most competitive pricing for routine screening colonoscopies.

Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC holds significant market share alongside national carriers UnitedHealthcare and Aetena, creating moderate competition in most regions. Rural areas often have limited insurer options, potentially affecting negotiated rates with providers. The state's insurance marketplace offers additional carriers in metropolitan areas, improving price competition for individual policies.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina

With 2,531 active gastroenterology providers, North Carolina maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution affects both wait times and pricing, with metropolitan areas offering more competitive rates due to provider density. Growing population centers continue attracting new practitioners, gradually improving access and cost competition.

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 North Carolina

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

Uninsured patients in North Carolina typically pay between $90 and $1,065 for a colonoscopy procedure, with a median cost of $378 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% for upfront payment. Ambulatory surgery centers often provide the most affordable options compared to hospital-based facilities.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Colonoscopy visits?

North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, limiting eligibility to specific categories like pregnant women, children, and disabled adults. Traditional Medicaid does cover medically necessary colonoscopies with prior authorization. Screening colonoscopies are covered for eligible recipients following standard prevention guidelines.

How do I find an affordable Colonoscopy near me in North Carolina?

Compare costs between hospital-based endoscopy centers and independent ambulatory surgery centers, as the latter often charge significantly less. Ask providers about self-pay discounts and payment plans if you're uninsured. Community health centers in North Carolina may offer sliding-scale fees based on income for qualifying patients.

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

The pricing data shows colonoscopy procedure costs ranging from $90 to $1,065 with a median of $378. Initial consultations with gastroenterologists typically cost less than the actual procedure. Follow-up visits after colonoscopy are usually brief office visits with lower fees than the initial consultation or procedure.

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

Yes, colonoscopy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. This includes both screening and diagnostic colonoscopies as well as related anesthesia and facility fees. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement or direct payment from your account.

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

While colonoscopy procedures require in-person visits, initial consultations and follow-up visits with gastroenterologists can often be conducted via telemedicine. Telehealth visits typically cost 20-30% less than in-person consultations and are widely covered by North Carolina insurers since the pandemic. Virtual consultations work well for discussing symptoms, reviewing test results, and planning procedure timing.

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