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Wisconsin

Cost of a Appendectomy Visit
in Wisconsin

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Wisconsin's rural healthcare access challenges affect surgical costs, with appendectomy procedures showing significant variation across the state's diverse provider network. Patients typically pay between $73 and $5,429 for a laparoscopic appendectomy, with a median cost of $1,115, reflecting the state's position at 47% above national averages. With over 4,000 active Appendectomy providers across Wisconsin's urban centers and rural communities, patients can browse all providers in Wisconsin to find quality care that fits their budget.

Average

$2,206

Median

$1,115

Lowest

$73

Highest

$5,429

Providers

4,057

National avg: $861Wisconsin: $2,206

156% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$73$3,723$10,5592,606
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$73$3,602$10,5642,707
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$80$95$10,0623,125
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$73$1,658$4,2362,595
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

47562$73$1,221$4,6353,551
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$73$1,742$5,8485,130
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$95$1,082$4,4191,138
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$95$547$1,4041,113
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$73$1,248$4,0312,412
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$73$984$3,9472,389
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$85$747$5,3572,273

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 Wisconsin

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

5/5
95% would recommend370 patient surveys
5/5
92% would recommend168 patient surveys
SAUK PRAIRIE HOSPITAL

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI

5/5
89% would recommend289 patient surveys
5/5
89% would recommend451 patient surveys
5/5
88% would recommend135 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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin's appendectomy costs run approximately 47% above national averages, reflecting the state's mix of high-cost urban medical centers and rural critical access hospitals. The state's moderate insurance market competition helps contain some costs, though rural access challenges can limit price transparency and patient choice.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Wisconsin's geographic spread creates significant disparities in appendectomy access and pricing between metropolitan areas like Milwaukee-Madison and rural northern counties. Rural patients often face longer transport times to surgical facilities, potentially complicating emergency appendectomy care and affecting overall treatment costs. Critical access hospitals in rural Wisconsin operate under different reimbursement structures that can influence surgical pricing.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based surgical suites in Wisconsin typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent ambulatory surgery centers, though emergency appendectomy procedures usually require hospital settings. Major health systems like Aurora Health Care, Advocate Aurora, and UW Health dominate Wisconsin's surgical market, with their integrated delivery models affecting pricing structures. Academic medical centers in Wisconsin often have higher overhead costs but may offer more complex surgical capabilities.

Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's insurance landscape includes strong regional players like BCBS Wisconsin (Anthem), UnitedHealthcare, and the unique WEA Trust cooperative, creating moderate competition that helps control surgical costs. The state's competitive market allows for varied network designs, with some insurers focusing on high-value provider partnerships to reduce appendectomy costs. Rural areas of Wisconsin may have fewer insurer options, potentially limiting patient choice and price competition.

Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin

With over 4,000 active appendectomy providers, Wisconsin maintains adequate surgical capacity in most regions, though rural areas face ongoing surgeon shortage challenges. The state's surgical supply appears sufficient to meet demand in urban areas, helping maintain competitive pricing for non-emergency procedures. Rural surgeon availability remains a concern, potentially affecting both access and pricing for appendectomy care in Wisconsin's northern and western counties.

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 Wisconsin

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

Uninsured patients in Wisconsin can expect to pay between $73 and $5,429 for a laparoscopic appendectomy, with a median cost of $1,115. Many hospitals and surgical centers offer self-pay discounts of 30-50% for uninsured patients, making it important to discuss payment options before the procedure. Emergency situations may complicate cost negotiations, but financial assistance programs are widely available at Wisconsin hospitals.

Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover Appendectomy visits?

Yes, Wisconsin Medicaid covers medically necessary appendectomy procedures as the state has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage includes both emergency and elective appendectomy procedures when deemed medically appropriate by the treating physician. Patients should verify that their chosen surgeon and facility accept Medicaid, as some specialists may have limited Medicaid participation.

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

Compare costs across different facilities in Wisconsin, as ambulatory surgery centers often charge less than hospital-based surgical suites for elective procedures. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community hospitals which may offer more affordable options than academic medical centers. Emergency situations limit choice, but financial assistance programs are available at most Wisconsin hospitals for qualifying patients.

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

Emergency appendectomy typically bypasses traditional consultation visits, with costs focused on the surgical procedure itself and post-operative care. When consultation is possible, initial surgical consultations generally cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required. Follow-up visits after appendectomy are usually brief wound checks and typically cost significantly less than the initial surgical procedure.

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

Yes, appendectomy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts, allowing you to use pre-tax dollars for surgery costs. This includes surgeon fees, facility charges, anesthesia costs, and related medical expenses like pre-operative testing. Keep all receipts and documentation for HSA/FSA reimbursement, as you'll need to provide proof of medical necessity for the procedure.

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

Telemedicine has limited application for appendectomy procedures since surgical treatment requires in-person care, though some post-operative follow-up visits may be conducted virtually. Pre-operative consultations via telemedicine may be available for elective cases, potentially reducing overall care costs by eliminating travel expenses. Wisconsin's telehealth coverage has expanded since 2020, with many insurers now covering virtual surgical consultations at similar rates to in-person 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