Logo
Arkansas

Cost of a Gallbladder Removal Surgery Visit
in Arkansas

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arkansas operates without Medicaid expansion, leaving many residents to navigate higher out-of-pocket costs for surgical procedures through the state's BCBS-dominated insurance market. Patients seeking Gallbladder Removal Surgery in Arkansas typically encounter negotiated rates between $415 and $1,328, with a median cost of $928 based on transparency data from 117 active providers statewide. Arkansas maintains a substantial network of qualified surgeons across both urban centers like Little Rock and rural communities, allowing patients to browse all providers throughout the state for competitive pricing options.

Average

$891

Median

$929

Lowest

$416

Highest

$1,328

Providers

117

National avg: $1,117Arkansas: $891

20% below national average

HSA/FSA eligible

Always available primary care

Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does gallbladder removal (laparoscopic) compare to related procedures in Arkansas?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$1,138$1,894$2,60399
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$90$1,839$2,535109
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$85$746$1,042118
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$479$752$1,03499
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$85$840$1,236140
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$1,180$1,600113
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$433$887$1,074102
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$85$399$561111
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$461$734$1,04396
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$85$833$1,107109
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$294$596$790105

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 47562 — Laparoscopic cholecystectomy). 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 47562 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 47562 (Laparoscopic cholecystectomy), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 47562 covers: the provider's professional fee for gallbladder removal (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 Arkansas

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

FAYETTEVILLE AR VA MEDICAL CENTER

FAYETTEVILLE, AR

5/5
85% would recommend371 patient surveys
HOWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

NASHVILLE, AR

5/5
76% would recommend113 patient surveys
ARKANSAS HEART HOSPITAL, LLC

LITTLE ROCK, AR

4/5
91% would recommend939 patient surveys
ARKANSAS HEART HOSPITAL-ENCORE

BRYANT, AR

4/5
90% would recommend364 patient surveys
ARKANSAS SURGICAL HOSPITAL

NO LITTLE ROCK, AR

4/5
89% would recommend540 patient surveys

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

Why Gallbladder Removal Surgery Visit Costs Vary Across Arkansas

Arkansas surgical costs run approximately 12% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and rural healthcare economics. The state's challenging geography, with mountainous regions in the north and delta areas in the east, creates significant disparities in healthcare access and pricing between metropolitan and rural communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Little Rock and Fayetteville concentrate most of Arkansas's high-volume surgical centers, offering competitive pricing through economies of scale, while rural counties often rely on smaller hospitals with higher per-case overhead costs. Travel distances to reach specialized surgical facilities can exceed 100 miles for residents in eastern Arkansas delta communities. This geographic challenge sometimes forces rural patients toward more expensive local options or adds travel costs to offset urban savings.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient surgery departments typically charge higher facility fees than independent ambulatory surgery centers throughout Arkansas, though rural hospitals may justify premium pricing through 24/7 emergency backup capabilities. Major health systems like Baptist Health and CHI St. Vincent dominate urban markets, while smaller community hospitals serve rural areas with less negotiating power against insurers. Free-standing surgery centers in metropolitan areas often provide the most cost-effective option for routine laparoscopic procedures.

Insurance Market Competition in Arkansas

BCBS Arkansas maintains overwhelming market dominance across the state, reducing competitive pressure on negotiated rates but ensuring broad network access for patients. Limited insurer competition in Arkansas's ACA marketplace restricts patient options and may contribute to higher premium costs, though surgical procedure rates remain relatively stable. The concentration of insurance market share allows BCBS to negotiate uniform rates across most provider networks statewide.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arkansas

With 117 active providers offering laparoscopic cholecystectomy services, Arkansas maintains adequate surgical capacity relative to its population of 3 million residents. The state's general surgery workforce skews toward urban areas, creating longer wait times and potentially higher costs in rural regions where demand exceeds local supply. Physician recruitment challenges in rural Arkansas may limit competitive pricing options outside major metropolitan areas.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

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 — Gallbladder Removal Surgery Costs in Arkansas

What is the average cost of a Gallbladder Removal Surgery visit in Arkansas without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Arkansas can expect to pay between $415 and $1,328 for laparoscopic gallbladder removal, with a median cost of $928 based on negotiated rate data from 117 providers statewide. These costs typically include the surgeon's professional fees but may not cover facility fees, anesthesia, or pathology services, which can add several thousand dollars to the total bill. Many Arkansas providers offer substantial self-pay discounts, sometimes reducing costs by 20-40% when patients pay upfront or arrange payment plans directly with the surgical facility.

Does Arkansas Medicaid cover Gallbladder Removal Surgery visits?

Arkansas traditional Medicaid covers medically necessary gallbladder removal surgery for eligible recipients, though the state did not expand Medicaid under the ACA, limiting coverage to very low-income parents and disabled individuals. Prior authorization is typically required for elective gallbladder surgery, but emergency procedures receive retroactive approval when medically justified. Medicaid patients should verify their surgeon and facility participate in the Arkansas Medicaid program, as some providers limit the number of Medicaid cases they accept due to lower reimbursement rates.

How do I find an affordable Gallbladder Removal Surgery near me in Arkansas?

Compare costs across different facility types, as ambulatory surgery centers often charge less than hospital-based outpatient departments for routine laparoscopic procedures. Ask about self-pay discounts and payment plans, which many Arkansas providers offer to uninsured or high-deductible patients. Community health centers and rural hospitals sometimes provide sliding-scale fees based on income, while urban areas like Little Rock may offer more competitive pricing through higher-volume surgical centers.

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

Initial surgical consultations for gallbladder evaluation typically cost more than follow-up visits, as they involve comprehensive history-taking, physical examination, and treatment planning discussions. Follow-up appointments after gallbladder surgery focus on wound healing, recovery progress, and addressing any post-operative concerns, requiring less time and complexity than the initial evaluation. Most surgeons include several post-operative visits in their global surgical fee, so patients may not pay separately for routine follow-up care within 90 days of the procedure.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Gallbladder Removal Surgery visit in Arkansas?

Yes, gallbladder removal surgery qualifies as a medical expense eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) payment in Arkansas. Both the surgeon's professional fees and facility charges can be paid using these pre-tax dollars, providing significant savings for patients with high-deductible health plans. Keep all receipts and documentation, as the IRS requires proof that expenses were for qualifying medical treatments, and HSA funds can be used indefinitely while FSA funds typically must be used within the plan year.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Gallbladder Removal Surgery in Arkansas?

Telemedicine consultations for gallbladder surgery evaluation cost significantly less than in-person visits, typically ranging from $50-150 in Arkansas, though physical examination and imaging review usually require an in-person follow-up appointment. Many Arkansas surgeons now offer virtual consultations for initial symptom discussion and post-operative check-ins, reducing travel costs for rural patients who may drive hours to reach urban surgical centers. However, the actual surgical procedure requires in-person care, so telehealth primarily serves to reduce consultation and follow-up visit expenses rather than the major procedural costs.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$358
$4,328

Office visit (CPT 47562)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1North Dakota
Range: $691 – $6,146
$4,328
2Minnesota
Range: $444 – $6,146
$4,246
3South Dakota
Range: $80 – $6,146
$2,400
4Wisconsin
Range: $73 – $4,635
$1,976
5Iowa
Range: $90 – $3,082
$1,533
6Massachusetts
Range: $476 – $2,717
$1,417
7Georgia
Range: $553 – $2,490
$1,395
8Wyoming
Range: $706 – $2,132
$1,317
9New Hampshire
Range: $634 – $1,921
$1,265
10Nebraska
Range: $796 – $1,526
$1,250
11Maine
Range: $746 – $1,286
$1,094
12North Carolina
Range: $488 – $1,839
$1,089
13Delaware
Range: $416 – $2,073
$1,087
14New Mexico
Range: $589 – $1,628
$1,084
15District of Columbia
Range: $511 – $1,619
$1,079
16Connecticut
Range: $416 – $1,820
$1,028
17Missouri
Range: $623 – $1,300
$1,017
18Michigan
Range: $430 – $1,565
$1,012
19Rhode Island
Range: $91 – $1,921
$1,006
20Illinois
Range: $85 – $1,984
$1,004
21New York
Range: $452 – $1,820
$970
22Utah
Range: $80 – $1,513
$967
23California
Range: $75 – $1,714
$961
24New Jersey
Range: $388 – $1,827
$960
25Vermont
Range: $492 – $1,597
$945
26Mississippi
Range: $518 – $1,655
$943
27Pennsylvania
Range: $98 – $1,984
$930
28South Carolina
Range: $483 – $1,594
$929
29Indiana
Range: $80 – $1,834
$914
30Alabama
Range: $450 – $1,450
$907
31Louisiana
Range: $473 – $1,416
$904
32Washington
Range: $80 – $1,815
$900
33Arkansas
Range: $416 – $1,328
$891
34Tennessee
Range: $531 – $1,300
$889
35Colorado
Range: $90 – $1,635
$888
36Oregon
Range: $80 – $1,770
$867
37Maryland
Range: $545 – $1,355
$845
38Kansas
Range: $623 – $1,104
$844
39Hawaii
Range: $80 – $1,507
$838
40Oklahoma
Range: $545 – $1,254
$825
41Kentucky
Range: $90 – $1,539
$822
42West Virginia
Range: $98 – $1,650
$818
43Nevada
Range: $536 – $1,081
$774
44Idaho
Range: $80 – $1,480
$766
45Arizona
Range: $557 – $1,115
$743
46Texas
Range: $90 – $1,300
$722
47Virginia
Range: $98 – $1,355
$713
48Ohio
Range: $85 – $1,185
$646
49Montana
Range: $80 – $1,124
$428
50Florida
Range: $35 – $1,191
$427
51Alaska
Range: $80 – $913
$358
Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) in Other States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming