Logo
Pennsylvania

Cost of a Appendectomy Visit
in Pennsylvania

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Pennsylvania's concentration of major health systems in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh creates distinct cost patterns for surgical procedures across the state. Appendectomy patients typically pay between $80 and $1,669 for laparoscopic procedures, with a median negotiated rate of $632 based on insurer agreements. Pennsylvania has 1,389 active Appendectomy providers offering these services throughout the Commonwealth's urban centers and rural communities.

Average

$794

Median

$632

Lowest

$80

Highest

$1,669

Providers

1,389

National avg: $861Pennsylvania: $794

8% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$909$1,551$6,051916
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$80$1,379$6,0601,270
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$85$618$2,135984
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$366$623$2,410933
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$98$709$1,9841,021
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$975$3,201983
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$434$719$2,160910
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$149$317$742968
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$333$562$1,448914
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$250$705$2,642976
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$317$537$1,957914

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 Pennsylvania

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

5/5
96% would recommend286 patient surveys
5/5
94% would recommend120 patient surveys
5/5
94% would recommend272 patient surveys
5/5
92% would recommend240 patient surveys
5/5
92% would recommend348 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's appendectomy costs run approximately 17% below national averages, reflecting the state's competitive healthcare market and mix of urban academic centers with rural community hospitals. The Commonwealth's geographic spread from Philadelphia to rural counties creates distinct pricing tiers based on local market dynamics.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions offer numerous surgical options with competitive pricing, while rural Pennsylvania counties may have limited choices, often requiring travel to regional centers. This geographic disparity can affect both access and pricing, with rural facilities sometimes offering lower base rates but limited advanced laparoscopic capabilities.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Major Pennsylvania health systems like UPMC, Jefferson Health, and Penn Medicine typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead costs and advanced technology investments. Independent surgical centers throughout the state often provide the same laparoscopic procedures at 20-30% lower costs due to lower facility fees.

Insurance Market Competition in Pennsylvania

The presence of multiple major insurers including Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, and UnitedHealthcare creates competitive negotiated rates across different regions. Western Pennsylvania's Highmark dominance versus eastern Pennsylvania's Independence Blue Cross market share influences regional pricing patterns.

Physician Supply and Demand in Pennsylvania

With 1,389 active providers performing appendectomies across Pennsylvania, the state maintains adequate surgical capacity in most regions. This healthy supply helps moderate pricing pressures, though wait times for non-emergency procedures may vary between urban academic centers and community hospitals.

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 Pennsylvania

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

Uninsured patients in Pennsylvania can expect to pay between $80 and $1,669 for a laparoscopic appendectomy, with a median cost of $632 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many facilities offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for patients paying upfront, potentially reducing these costs significantly.

Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover Appendectomy visits?

Yes, Pennsylvania's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary appendectomy procedures with minimal patient cost-sharing. Emergency appendectomies are covered immediately, while any rare non-emergency cases may require prior authorization through the state Medicaid program.

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

Compare costs between major health systems and independent surgical centers, as independent facilities often charge 20-30% less. Ask about self-pay discounts if uninsured, and consider facilities slightly outside major metropolitan areas where overhead costs may be lower while maintaining quality care standards.

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

Most appendectomies are performed as emergency procedures without separate consultation visits, with costs ranging from $80 to $1,669 for the complete laparoscopic procedure. Follow-up visits are typically included in the surgical package or billed separately as standard office visits at much lower rates.

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

Yes, appendectomy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts. You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay deductibles, coinsurance, and any out-of-pocket costs associated with the surgery and related care in Pennsylvania.

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

Telemedicine has limited application for appendectomy care since diagnosis typically requires in-person examination and immediate surgical intervention. However, some Pennsylvania health systems offer virtual follow-up appointments after surgery, which may reduce overall care costs and improve convenience for rural patients.

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