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Maine

Cost of a Appendectomy Visit
in Maine

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maine's rural healthcare infrastructure requires many residents to travel significant distances for specialized surgical care, with laparoscopic appendectomy being one of the most commonly performed emergency procedures in the state's hospitals. Appendectomy patients in Maine typically face negotiated rates ranging from $682 to $1,177, with a median cost of $1,144 based on actual insurer agreements with providers. With over 1,500 active providers performing this procedure across Maine's hospitals and surgical centers, patients have options to find quality care and can browse all available Appendectomy providers throughout the state.

Average

$1,001

Median

$1,144

Lowest

$682

Highest

$1,177

Providers

1,551

National avg: $861Maine: $1,001

16% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does appendectomy (laparoscopic) compare to related procedures in Maine?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$1,713$2,488$2,6891,522
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$1,585$2,491$2,6391,529
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$643$1,068$1,1231,524
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$634$1,054$1,0871,528
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$746$1,250$1,2861,541
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$1,043$1,716$1,7761,529
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$811$1,310$1,3461,526
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$342$573$5781,524
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$630$998$1,0221,521
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$749$1,255$1,2741,523
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$519$850$8881,519

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 44970Laparoscopic appendectomy). 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 44970 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 44970 (Laparoscopic appendectomy), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 44970 covers: the provider's professional fee for appendectomy (laparoscopic). 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.

Top-Rated Hospitals in Maine

These hospitals in Maine are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.

5/5
83% would recommend423 patient surveys
5/5
71% would recommend114 patient surveys
4/5
85% would recommend1,053 patient surveys
4/5
85% would recommend649 patient surveys
4/5
84% would recommend120 patient surveys

Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.

Why Appendectomy Visit Costs Vary Across Maine

Healthcare costs in Maine run approximately 12% above national averages, driven by the state's rural geography, limited provider competition, and higher operational costs for maintaining 24/7 surgical capabilities across dispersed communities. Maine's seasonal population fluctuations and aging year-round demographics create unique demand patterns that influence surgical pricing and availability.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Portland and surrounding Cumberland County concentrate most of Maine's surgical specialists and advanced facilities, while rural areas often rely on critical access hospitals that may need to transfer complex cases. This geographic disparity means rural residents frequently face additional costs for emergency transport and may have limited choice in surgical providers during appendectomy emergencies.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based surgical centers dominate Maine's healthcare landscape, with systems like MaineHealth and Northern Light Health operating the majority of facilities capable of emergency appendectomy. These larger health systems typically charge premium rates due to their comprehensive service offerings and the costs of maintaining rural outreach, compared to the few independent surgical centers in the state.

Insurance Market Competition in Maine

With Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim, and UHC controlling most of Maine's insurance market, limited competition can result in higher negotiated rates between insurers and providers. The small market size gives major health systems significant leverage in rate negotiations, contributing to the above-average costs seen across most surgical procedures in the state.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maine

Maine's 1,551 providers capable of performing laparoscopic appendectomy represents adequate coverage for the state's population, though geographic distribution favors urban areas over rural communities. This supply concentration means rural patients often face longer travel times and potentially higher costs when seeking care at urban medical centers, while also creating competitive pricing advantages in the Portland metro area.

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 — Appendectomy Costs in Maine

What is the average cost of a Appendectomy visit in Maine without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Maine face costs ranging from $682 to $1,177 for laparoscopic appendectomy based on negotiated rates, with a median cost of $1,144. However, self-pay patients often receive significant discounts from hospitals, sometimes 30-50% off these rates. Most Maine hospitals also offer payment plans and emergency financial assistance programs to help manage these substantial costs. The final amount depends on the specific facility, length of stay, and any complications requiring additional care.

Does Maine Medicaid cover Appendectomy visits?

Yes, Maine's expanded Medicaid program (MaineCare) covers emergency appendectomy procedures as essential medical services. Coverage includes the surgeon's fees, hospital costs, anesthesiology, and related services like imaging and pathology. MaineCare recipients typically face minimal out-of-pocket costs for emergency surgery, though some may have small copayments depending on their specific coverage level. Prior authorization is generally not required for emergency appendectomy procedures.

How do I find an affordable Appendectomy near me in Maine?

Compare costs between different hospitals in your area, as prices can vary significantly between major medical centers and community hospitals. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and inquire about payment plans or financial assistance programs that most Maine hospitals offer. Community health centers may provide pre-surgical evaluations at reduced rates, though the actual surgery will need to be performed at a hospital with surgical capabilities. Consider both the surgeon's fees and facility charges when comparing total costs.

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

For appendectomy, most cases are emergency situations that bypass normal consultation processes and proceed directly to surgery with costs in the $682-$1,177 range. Post-surgical follow-up visits are typically much less expensive, usually falling under standard office visit rates of $150-$300 depending on complexity. Some patients may have pre-surgical consultations for elective appendectomy, which would be billed as specialist consultation visits separate from the surgical procedure. Emergency room evaluation prior to surgery adds additional costs but is usually necessary for proper diagnosis and surgical planning.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Appendectomy visit in Maine?

Yes, both HSA and FSA funds can be used to pay for appendectomy surgery, including surgeon fees, hospital charges, anesthesia, and related medical expenses. These accounts provide tax-advantaged payment for qualified medical expenses, which includes both emergency and elective surgical procedures. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, and remember that HSA funds roll over annually while FSA funds typically have use-it-or-lose-it provisions. The substantial cost of appendectomy makes these accounts particularly valuable for managing out-of-pocket expenses.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Appendectomy in Maine?

Telemedicine has limited application for appendectomy since it's typically an emergency surgical procedure requiring in-person evaluation and treatment. However, telehealth can be useful for post-surgical follow-up visits, potentially reducing costs and travel time for rural Maine patients. Some patients may use telehealth for initial evaluation of chronic abdominal symptoms that could lead to elective appendectomy recommendations. Maine's expanded telehealth coverage during recent years has made remote consultations more accessible and affordable, typically costing $50-$150 compared to in-person specialist visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$385
$2,206

Office visit (CPT 44970)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $73$5,429
$2,206
2Iowa
Range: $85$2,810
$1,400
3Wyoming
Range: $631$1,894
$1,180
4New Hampshire
Range: $558$1,752
$1,147
5Nebraska
Range: $726$1,396
$1,142
6Massachusetts
Range: $80$2,485
$1,133
7South Dakota
Range: $85$2,418
$1,127
8Georgia
Range: $85$2,038
$1,033
9Minnesota
Range: $80$2,095
$1,024
10Maine
Range: $682$1,177
$1,001
11Michigan
Range: $80$2,021
$978
12District of Columbia
Range: $413$1,405
$945
13New Mexico
Range: $507$1,408
$933
14Connecticut
Range: $361$1,590
$908
15Rhode Island
Range: $80$1,752
$905
16Washington
Range: $80$1,832
$902
17Missouri
Range: $551$1,185
$901
18North Dakota
Range: $80$1,767
$882
19New York
Range: $412$1,655
$882
20Indiana
Range: $80$1,805
$881
21Illinois
Range: $85$1,654
$865
22Delaware
Range: $80$1,893
$865
23Vermont
Range: $449$1,463
$865
24New Jersey
Range: $340$1,669
$852
25North Carolina
Range: $80$1,655
$837
26Mississippi
Range: $473$1,440
$827
27Oregon
Range: $80$1,616
$814
28West Virginia
Range: $85$1,557
$799
29California
Range: $80$1,375
$796
30Pennsylvania
Range: $80$1,669
$794
31Utah
Range: $80$1,321
$792
32Hawaii
Range: $80$1,376
$767
33Kansas
Range: $562$1,006
$767
34Louisiana
Range: $368$1,236
$766
35Colorado
Range: $85$1,421
$765
36Kentucky
Range: $85$1,415
$758
37Virginia
Range: $404$1,238
$755
38Maryland
Range: $437$1,238
$750
39Ohio
Range: $355$1,185
$733
40Arkansas
Range: $85$1,236
$720
41Idaho
Range: $80$1,349
$716
42Tennessee
Range: $90$1,258
$699
43Nevada
Range: $464$983
$673
44South Carolina
Range: $80$1,290
$667
45Alabama
Range: $80$1,208
$653
46Texas
Range: $85$1,155
$634
47Oklahoma
Range: $85$1,142
$588
48Arizona
Range: $90$1,016
$538
49Alaska
Range: $80$1,339
$500
50Montana
Range: $80$1,231
$464
51Florida
Range: $35$1,065
$385
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) in Other States