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Pennsylvania

Cost of a Colonoscopy Visit
in Pennsylvania

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Pennsylvania's healthcare market shows costs approximately 9% above the national average, with concentrated provider networks in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh affecting pricing across the Commonwealth. For Colonoscopy procedures, patients typically see negotiated insurance rates ranging from $85 to $1,830, with a median cost of $323 based on transparency data from over 1,000 active providers statewide. You can browse all Colonoscopy providers in Pennsylvania to compare costs and find the most affordable option for your specific insurance plan.

Average

$746

Median

$323

Lowest

$85

Highest

$1,830

Providers

1,067

National avg: $517Pennsylvania: $746

44% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does colonoscopy compare to related procedures in Pennsylvania?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$373$2,1171,414
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$469$2,3381,327
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$90$274$7151,120
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$273$1,6471,592
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$13$55$902,207
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$61$155$6771,469
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$42$85$3281,801

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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's healthcare costs run approximately 9% above the national average, driven by concentrated urban markets in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that command premium pricing. The Commonwealth's mix of major academic medical centers and rural critical access hospitals creates significant cost variations for colonoscopy procedures across different regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Pennsylvania's gastroenterology specialists concentrate heavily in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas, with limited availability in rural counties of central and northern Pennsylvania. Patients in rural areas often travel 50+ miles for colonoscopy procedures, sometimes requiring overnight stays that add to total costs. The state's Appalachian regions face particular challenges accessing subspecialty care, leading to longer wait times and higher costs when providers are available.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient endoscopy centers in Pennsylvania typically charge facility fees 2-3 times higher than independent ambulatory surgery centers for identical colonoscopy procedures. Major health systems like UPMC in Pittsburgh and Penn Medicine in Philadelphia operate high-overhead academic facilities that command premium rates. Freestanding gastroenterology practices often provide the most cost-effective option, particularly for routine screening colonoscopies in healthy patients.

Insurance Market Competition in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's insurance market is dominated by Highmark (covering western regions) and Independence Blue Cross Shield (covering southeastern counties), creating regional monopolies that limit rate negotiation leverage. UnitedHealthcare maintains moderate market share statewide, providing some competitive pressure on negotiated rates with providers. The relative lack of insurer competition compared to states like California or Florida contributes to Pennsylvania's above-average healthcare costs.

Physician Supply and Demand in Pennsylvania

With over 1,000 active providers performing colonoscopy procedures, Pennsylvania maintains adequate specialist supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. The concentration of gastroenterologists in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh creates competitive pricing in those markets while allowing premium rates in underserved regions. Wait times for routine screening colonoscopy average 2-4 weeks in metropolitan areas but can extend to 8-12 weeks in rural Pennsylvania counties.

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 Pennsylvania

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

Uninsured patients in Pennsylvania typically pay between $1,000 to $3,000 for a complete colonoscopy procedure, including physician fees, facility costs, and anesthesia. Based on negotiated insurance rates, the median cost is $323, but self-pay patients often face higher list prices. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% and payment plans to make procedures more affordable for uninsured patients.

Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover Colonoscopy visits?

Yes, Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid covers colonoscopy procedures for eligible adults, including both screening and diagnostic colonoscopies. Preventive screening colonoscopies have no copay for Medicaid patients when performed according to clinical guidelines. Prior authorization may be required for some diagnostic procedures, and patients should verify their provider accepts Pennsylvania Medicaid before scheduling.

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

Compare costs between hospital-based endoscopy centers and independent ambulatory surgery centers, as the latter typically charge 30-50% less for the same procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts, which many Pennsylvania providers offer to uninsured patients. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout Pennsylvania may provide colonoscopy services at reduced rates based on income eligibility.

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

The procedure cost data shows colonoscopy procedures range from $85 to $1,830 with a median of $323. Office consultations before the procedure typically cost $200-400 for new patients and $150-300 for established patients. Follow-up visits after colonoscopy are usually brief and cost less than initial consultations, often around $100-200 depending on complexity and findings discussion.

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

Yes, colonoscopy procedures are qualified medical expenses eligible for HSA and FSA reimbursement in Pennsylvania. Both screening and diagnostic colonoscopies qualify, including associated costs like anesthesia and pathology fees if polyps are removed. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide procedure codes and medical necessity documentation for reimbursement.

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

While colonoscopy procedures cannot be performed remotely, many Pennsylvania gastroenterologists offer telehealth consultations for pre-procedure discussions and post-procedure follow-ups at reduced cost. Virtual consultations typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits and may help determine if colonoscopy is necessary before scheduling the procedure. Pennsylvania expanded telehealth coverage during the pandemic, making virtual consultations more accessible and affordable for initial evaluations.

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