Logo
South Carolina

Cost of a Colonoscopy Visit
in South Carolina

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

South Carolina's healthcare market operates approximately 1% below national averages, with over 1,100 active colonoscopy providers serving the state's diverse urban and rural communities. Patients typically pay between $90 and $695 for colonoscopy visits, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $304 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state's moderate but growing ambulatory surgery center market provides patients with multiple options for finding affordable care across South Carolina's provider network.

Average

$363

Median

$304

Lowest

$90

Highest

$695

Providers

1,131

National avg: $517South Carolina: $363

30% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does colonoscopy compare to related procedures in South Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$306$7821,333
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$414$9361,265
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$109$243$5641,048
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$211$6271,357
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$14$21$881,517
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$62$137$3641,356
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$43$90$2211,332

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 South Carolina

South Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared to coastal markets while still maintaining quality specialty care. The state's mix of urban medical centers in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville alongside extensive rural areas creates significant cost and access variations across different regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

South Carolina's major metropolitan areas like Charleston, Columbia, and the Greenville-Spartanburg corridor concentrate most gastroenterology specialists, while rural counties often require patients to travel significant distances for care. This geographic disparity can affect both access and pricing, with urban areas offering more competitive rates due to provider density but rural facilities sometimes offering lower overhead costs. The state's Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions particularly face specialist shortages that can impact both wait times and pricing.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

South Carolina has seen growth in ambulatory surgery centers specializing in endoscopic procedures, which often offer lower costs than hospital-based outpatient departments. Major health systems like MUSC Health, Prisma Health, and McLeod Health operate hospital-based facilities with higher overhead costs, while independent gastroenterology practices and surgery centers may offer more competitive pricing. The state's moderate regulatory environment has encouraged ASC development, providing patients with more cost-effective options.

Insurance Market Competition in South Carolina

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina holds significant market share alongside national players like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate competition that helps keep negotiated rates reasonable. The state's insurance market concentration affects how aggressively insurers negotiate with providers, with some regional health systems having stronger negotiating positions due to market dominance in their areas. This dynamic particularly impacts pricing in markets where single health systems control large portions of specialist care.

Physician Supply and Demand in South Carolina

With over 1,100 active colonoscopy providers, South Carolina maintains a reasonable specialist-to-population ratio in urban areas, though rural regions face ongoing shortages. This supply distribution affects both pricing and access, with well-served urban markets offering more competitive rates and shorter wait times while underserved rural areas may see higher costs due to limited competition. The state's medical schools and residency programs help maintain specialist supply, but geographic maldistribution remains a challenge for equitable access and 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 South Carolina

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

Without insurance, colonoscopy costs in South Carolina range from $90 to $695, with a median cost of $304 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients often receive significant discounts from these rates, with many providers offering 30-50% reductions for upfront payment. Many South Carolina ambulatory surgery centers and gastroenterology practices provide transparent cash pricing that can be substantially lower than insurance-negotiated rates.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover Colonoscopy visits?

South Carolina Medicaid covers medically necessary colonoscopies for eligible beneficiaries, though the state did not expand Medicaid so eligibility is limited to specific categories. Preventive screening colonoscopies are covered for appropriate age groups when performed by Medicaid-participating providers. The Medicaid provider network for gastroenterology services may be more limited than commercial insurance networks, potentially requiring longer wait times or travel to participating facilities.

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

Compare costs across ambulatory surgery centers versus hospital outpatient departments, as ASCs often offer lower prices for the same procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, as many South Carolina providers offer substantial cash-pay reductions. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout the state may provide sliding-scale fee structures based on income for uninsured patients.

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

Initial consultations typically involve comprehensive evaluation and procedure planning, while follow-up visits focus on results discussion and ongoing care coordination. The colonoscopy procedure itself represents the major cost component, with consultation visits being relatively minor expenses. Most gastroenterologists include pre-procedure consultation in their overall colonoscopy package pricing, though this varies by practice.

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

Both HSA and FSA funds can be used to pay for colonoscopy procedures and related medical expenses in South Carolina, as these are qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. This includes the procedure itself, anesthesia fees, pathology charges for biopsies, and any required pre-procedure consultations. Using tax-advantaged dollars can effectively reduce your out-of-pocket costs by your marginal tax rate, making these accounts valuable for managing healthcare expenses.

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

While the colonoscopy procedure itself cannot be performed via telemedicine, some South Carolina gastroenterologists offer virtual consultations for initial evaluations or follow-up care, which typically cost less than in-person visits. Telemedicine consultations can be particularly valuable for rural South Carolina patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances for routine follow-up appointments. However, insurance coverage for telemedicine gastroenterology visits varies, so patients should verify benefits with their specific plans.

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