Cost of a Appendectomy Visit
in West Virginia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
West Virginia faces significant physician shortages, ranking among the worst states for specialist availability, yet patients seeking laparoscopic Appendectomy procedures have access to 110 active providers across the state. Transparency in Coverage data reveals negotiated rates typically range from $85 to $1,557, with a median cost of $754 for this minimally invasive surgical procedure. These rates reflect what insurers have agreed to pay West Virginia providers, offering patients valuable insight into the actual cost structure across the Mountain State's healthcare network.
Average
$799
Median
$754
Lowest
$85
Highest
$1,557
Providers
110
7% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does appendectomy (laparoscopic) compare to related procedures in West Virginia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $1,204 | $1,729 | $4,734 | 88 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $90 | $1,677 | $4,590 | 99 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $669 | $1,409 | 95 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $482 | $691 | $1,901 | 89 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $98 | $707 | $1,650 | 158 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,094 | $2,122 | 98 |
| Septoplasty Nasal septum repair | 30520 | $461 | $780 | $1,698 | 88 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $85 | $355 | $748 | 97 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $381 | $657 | $1,378 | 86 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $366 | $777 | $1,695 | 94 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $342 | $567 | $2,006 | 88 |
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 West Virginia
These hospitals in West Virginia are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
MADISON, WV
BECKLEY, WV
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV
ROMNEY, WV
WELCH, WV
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 West Virginia
West Virginia's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages due to lower overall cost of living, though the state's mountainous terrain and sparse population create unique access challenges. Rural communities often face limited surgical options, forcing patients to travel significant distances to Charleston, Morgantown, or Martinsburg for specialized procedures.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Charleston and Morgantown concentrate most of West Virginia's surgical specialists, while rural counties may have only one or two general surgeons covering vast geographic areas. This urban concentration can drive up costs in metro areas while limiting options in rural regions, sometimes requiring emergency helicopter transport for urgent appendectomies. Travel distances exceeding 100 miles are common for rural patients seeking surgical care.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
WVU Medicine and Charleston Area Medical Center dominate the state's hospital landscape, operating both main campuses and satellite facilities throughout their service areas. Independent ambulatory surgery centers offer cost-effective alternatives in larger cities, while critical access hospitals in rural areas may have higher per-case costs due to lower surgical volumes. Hospital-owned physician practices have become increasingly common, potentially affecting pricing structures.
Insurance Market Competition in West Virginia
The Big Three insurers - Highmark West Virginia, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna - control most of the commercial market, creating moderate competition but limited choice compared to larger states. Highmark's Blue Cross Blue Shield network historically dominated the state, though increased competition has helped moderate rate increases in recent years. Rural areas may have even fewer insurer options, potentially limiting negotiating power with providers.
Physician Supply and Demand in West Virginia
With 110 active Appendectomy providers serving a population of 1.8 million, West Virginia maintains reasonable surgical capacity despite ongoing physician recruitment challenges. The state's aging physician workforce and limited residency programs create concerns about future surgeon availability, particularly in rural areas. This supply-demand dynamic generally keeps surgical fees competitive while potentially extending wait times for 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 West Virginia
What is the average cost of a Appendectomy visit in West Virginia without insurance?
Does West Virginia Medicaid cover Appendectomy visits?
How do I find an affordable Appendectomy near me in West Virginia?
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 a Appendectomy visit in West Virginia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Appendectomy in West Virginia?
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 |