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California

Cost of a Gallbladder Removal Surgery Visit
in California

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

California's concentrated healthcare markets drive Gallbladder Removal Surgery costs approximately 18% above national averages, with significant variation between Kaiser-dominated regions and competitive insurance markets. Patients typically pay between $75 and $1,714 for laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures, with a median negotiated rate of $1,094 across California's extensive network of over 6,300 active providers. Browse all Gallbladder Removal Surgery specialists throughout California to compare costs and find an in-network provider that fits your budget.

Average

$961

Median

$1,094

Lowest

$75

Highest

$1,714

Providers

6,358

National avg: $1,117California: $961

14% below national average

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

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Knee Replacement

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27447$75$2,228$3,2863,142
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$80$2,021$3,0123,930
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$85$1,210$1,4012,015
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$80$80$8,7674,867
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$80$933$1,3757,138
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$1,135$2,7581,473
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$80$820$2,160897
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$80$265$7051,717
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$423$975$1,2162,424
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$85$961$1,9721,786
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$80$261$1,9302,261

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 47562Laparoscopic 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 California

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

5/5
90% would recommend136 patient surveys
5/5
90% would recommend544 patient surveys
5/5
89% would recommend411 patient surveys
MAMMOTH HOSPITAL

MAMMOTH LAKES, CA

5/5
87% would recommend104 patient surveys
5/5
86% would recommend243 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 California

California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above national averages, driven by high real estate costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and concentrated insurance markets in major metropolitan areas. The state's diverse geography creates stark access disparities between well-served coastal regions and underserved rural counties in the Central Valley and far north.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have abundant surgical specialists, while rural counties often require patients to travel hours for specialized care. The Central Valley and northeastern counties face particular shortages of laparoscopic surgeons, potentially increasing costs due to limited competition. Telemedicine consultations help bridge initial access gaps, though surgical procedures still require travel to urban centers.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient departments dominate California's surgical landscape, typically charging facility fees 200-300% higher than independent ambulatory surgery centers. Large health systems like Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and Providence control significant market share, influencing regional pricing power. Academic medical centers at UC system hospitals often carry premium pricing but may offer complex case expertise.

Insurance Market Competition in California

Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare control over 60% of California's commercial insurance market, creating oligopolistic conditions in many regions. Kaiser's integrated delivery model provides cost predictability but limits provider choice, while Anthem and UHC maintain broader but more expensive networks. Regional insurers like Health Net and Blue Shield provide additional options but with varying provider access.

Physician Supply and Demand in California

California's 6,300+ active Gallbladder Removal Surgery providers suggest adequate overall supply, though distribution heavily favors coastal metropolitan areas over rural regions. High demand from the state's aging population and obesity rates strains capacity in some markets, potentially extending wait times and maintaining higher pricing. Competition among surgeons in saturated markets like Los Angeles may create opportunities for cost savings through direct-pay arrangements.

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 California

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

Uninsured patients in California typically pay between $75 and $1,714 for gallbladder removal surgery, with a median cost of $1,094 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% off these rates for self-pay patients. The total cost includes surgeon fees, facility charges, anesthesia, and pathology services, which can add several thousand dollars to the base surgical fee. Shopping between ambulatory surgery centers and hospital outpatient departments can result in significant savings.

Does California Medicaid cover Gallbladder Removal Surgery visits?

Yes, California's expanded Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) covers medically necessary gallbladder removal surgery when conservative treatments have failed or complications are present. Coverage includes pre-operative consultations, imaging studies, the surgical procedure itself, and post-operative follow-up visits. Prior authorization may be required, and you'll need to use Medi-Cal participating surgeons and facilities. The program covers both emergency and elective cholecystectomy procedures based on clinical necessity.

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

Compare costs between ambulatory surgery centers and hospital outpatient departments, as surgery centers typically charge 40-60% less for the same procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider payment plans offered by larger health systems. Community health centers and county hospitals often provide sliding-scale pricing based on income. Use our cost comparison tool to check negotiated rates across multiple providers in your area before making your decision.

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

Initial gallbladder surgery consultations typically cost $200-400 more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation and surgical planning requirements. New patient visits involve detailed history, physical examination, imaging review, and treatment planning, while follow-up visits focus on post-operative care or monitoring. The median negotiated rate of $1,094 reflects the surgical procedure itself, not consultation fees. Most insurance plans cover both consultation and follow-up visits under specialist copays or coinsurance.

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

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) cover medically necessary gallbladder surgery as qualified medical expenses. This includes surgeon fees, facility charges, anesthesia costs, and related medical expenses like pre-operative testing. You can use these tax-advantaged accounts for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance related to your surgery. Keep all receipts for documentation, as the IRS may require proof that expenses were medically necessary.

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

Telemedicine consultations for initial gallbladder surgery evaluation typically cost $100-200 less than in-person visits and are widely available throughout California. However, physical examination and hands-on assessment are usually required before surgery, so virtual visits often serve as preliminary consultations or post-operative follow-ups. California's telehealth parity laws ensure insurance coverage for appropriate virtual visits. While telemedicine can reduce travel costs and time, the actual surgical procedure must be performed in person at an accredited facility.

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