Cost of a Appendectomy Visit
in South Dakota
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
South Dakota's rural healthcare infrastructure means that appendectomy costs can vary dramatically between Sioux Falls medical centers and smaller regional hospitals. Patients typically pay between $85 and $2,418 for a laparoscopic appendectomy, with a median cost of $877. With 66 active appendectomy providers across the state, South Dakota residents have access to emergency surgical care despite the state's geographic challenges. Browse all qualified appendectomy providers in South Dakota to find the most cost-effective option for your insurance plan.
Average
$1,127
Median
$877
Lowest
$85
Highest
$2,418
Providers
66
31% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does appendectomy (laparoscopic) compare to related procedures in South Dakota?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,099 | $1,965 | $5,330 | 50 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $90 | $1,769 | $3,012 | 67 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $95 | $778 | $1,313 | 53 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $387 | $776 | $1,811 | 53 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $80 | $975 | $6,146 | 77 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,242 | $2,541 | 56 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $90 | $848 | $1,627 | 54 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $197 | $411 | $705 | 51 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $439 | $769 | $2,034 | 50 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $491 | $940 | $2,423 | 53 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $296 | $622 | $1,068 | 53 |
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 44970 — Laparoscopic 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 South Dakota
These hospitals in South Dakota are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
RAPID CITY, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
DAKOTA DUNES, SD
SIOUX FALLS, SD
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 South Dakota
South Dakota's appendectomy costs run approximately 15% above the national median, driven by the state's rural geography and limited provider competition in many regions. The state's dependence on critical access hospitals in remote areas creates unique cost pressures not seen in more densely populated states.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Sioux Falls and Rapid City offer multiple surgical options with competitive pricing, while patients in rural counties like Bennett or Harding may face longer transport times to reach surgical care. Critical access hospitals in smaller communities often have higher per-case costs due to lower surgical volumes and higher overhead ratios. Emergency transfers between facilities can add significant costs and complexity to treatment.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Sanford Health and Avera Health dominate South Dakota's hospital landscape, with their integrated delivery models affecting pricing structures across the state. Hospital-based outpatient surgery centers typically charge facility fees that can double total costs compared to independent ambulatory centers. Rural hospitals often lack specialized equipment, requiring patient transfers that increase overall expenses.
Insurance Market Competition in South Dakota
Limited insurer competition, particularly in rural markets where Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield holds significant market share, reduces negotiating pressure on provider rates. Sanford Health Plan's vertical integration with provider services creates unique dynamics in pricing and network access. UnitedHealthcare's presence varies significantly between urban and rural markets, affecting patient options.
Physician Supply and Demand in South Dakota
With 66 active appendectomy providers serving nearly 900,000 residents, South Dakota maintains adequate surgical capacity in aggregate but faces geographic maldistribution. Rural physician shortages mean some communities depend heavily on traveling surgeons or patient transfers for specialized care. This supply constraint in remote areas drives up costs and can delay non-emergency procedures.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Appendectomy Costs in South Dakota
What is the average cost of an appendectomy visit in South Dakota without insurance?
Does South Dakota Medicaid cover appendectomy visits?
How do I find an affordable appendectomy near me in South Dakota?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for an appendectomy visit in South Dakota?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing an appendectomy in South Dakota?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 44970)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $5,429 | $2,206 |
| 2 | Iowa Range: $85 – $2,810 | $1,400 |
| 3 | Wyoming Range: $631 – $1,894 | $1,180 |
| 4 | New Hampshire Range: $558 – $1,752 | $1,147 |
| 5 | Nebraska Range: $726 – $1,396 | $1,142 |
| 6 | Massachusetts Range: $80 – $2,485 | $1,133 |
| 7 | South Dakota Range: $85 – $2,418 | $1,127 |
| 8 | Georgia Range: $85 – $2,038 | $1,033 |
| 9 | Minnesota Range: $80 – $2,095 | $1,024 |
| 10 | Maine Range: $682 – $1,177 | $1,001 |
| 11 | Michigan Range: $80 – $2,021 | $978 |
| 12 | District of Columbia Range: $413 – $1,405 | $945 |
| 13 | New Mexico Range: $507 – $1,408 | $933 |
| 14 | Connecticut Range: $361 – $1,590 | $908 |
| 15 | Rhode Island Range: $80 – $1,752 | $905 |
| 16 | Washington Range: $80 – $1,832 | $902 |
| 17 | Missouri Range: $551 – $1,185 | $901 |
| 18 | North Dakota Range: $80 – $1,767 | $882 |
| 19 | New York Range: $412 – $1,655 | $882 |
| 20 | Indiana Range: $80 – $1,805 | $881 |
| 21 | Illinois Range: $85 – $1,654 | $865 |
| 22 | Delaware Range: $80 – $1,893 | $865 |
| 23 | Vermont Range: $449 – $1,463 | $865 |
| 24 | New Jersey Range: $340 – $1,669 | $852 |
| 25 | North Carolina Range: $80 – $1,655 | $837 |
| 26 | Mississippi Range: $473 – $1,440 | $827 |
| 27 | Oregon Range: $80 – $1,616 | $814 |
| 28 | West Virginia Range: $85 – $1,557 | $799 |
| 29 | California Range: $80 – $1,375 | $796 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania Range: $80 – $1,669 | $794 |
| 31 | Utah Range: $80 – $1,321 | $792 |
| 32 | Hawaii Range: $80 – $1,376 | $767 |
| 33 | Kansas Range: $562 – $1,006 | $767 |
| 34 | Louisiana Range: $368 – $1,236 | $766 |
| 35 | Colorado Range: $85 – $1,421 | $765 |
| 36 | Kentucky Range: $85 – $1,415 | $758 |
| 37 | Virginia Range: $404 – $1,238 | $755 |
| 38 | Maryland Range: $437 – $1,238 | $750 |
| 39 | Ohio Range: $355 – $1,185 | $733 |
| 40 | Arkansas Range: $85 – $1,236 | $720 |
| 41 | Idaho Range: $80 – $1,349 | $716 |
| 42 | Tennessee Range: $90 – $1,258 | $699 |
| 43 | Nevada Range: $464 – $983 | $673 |
| 44 | South Carolina Range: $80 – $1,290 | $667 |
| 45 | Alabama Range: $80 – $1,208 | $653 |
| 46 | Texas Range: $85 – $1,155 | $634 |
| 47 | Oklahoma Range: $85 – $1,142 | $588 |
| 48 | Arizona Range: $90 – $1,016 | $538 |
| 49 | Alaska Range: $80 – $1,339 | $500 |
| 50 | Montana Range: $80 – $1,231 | $464 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $1,065 | $385 |