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Iowa

Cost of a Gallbladder Removal Surgery Visit
in Iowa

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Iowa's healthcare costs run approximately 9% below the national average, making Gallbladder Removal Surgery more accessible for patients across the Hawkeye State. Based on recent insurance negotiated rates, patients typically pay between $89.75 and $3,082.14 for laparoscopic gallbladder removal, with a median cost of $1,428.16. Iowa maintains 337 active providers performing this procedure, giving patients throughout both urban centers like Des Moines and rural communities solid access to surgical care.

Average

$1,533

Median

$1,428

Lowest

$90

Highest

$3,082

Providers

337

National avg: $1,117Iowa: $1,533

37% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)

27447$95$2,935$4,753309
Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

27130$91$2,938$3,950320
Cataract Surgery

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion

66984$85$1,186$1,313296
Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy

29881$452$1,174$1,680311
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic appendectomy

44970$85$1,304$2,810369
Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic)

Laparoscopic total hysterectomy

58571$85$1,912$3,576341
Septoplasty

Nasal septum repair

30520$549$1,426$1,627255
Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary

42820$95$640$705270
Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair

49505$457$1,131$2,449317
Mastectomy

Partial or simple mastectomy

19301$85$1,392$3,021333
Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Open carpal tunnel release

64721$361$933$1,068260

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 Iowa

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

5/5
94% would recommend137 patient surveys
5/5
89% would recommend103 patient surveys
5/5
85% would recommend277 patient surveys
5/5
82% would recommend104 patient surveys
5/5
82% would recommend118 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 Iowa

Iowa's healthcare costs run about 9% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive provider market. The mix of academic medical centers in Iowa City and Des Moines alongside community hospitals creates varied pricing structures across the state's 99 counties.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City concentrate most specialized surgical services, while rural counties often require patients to travel significant distances for gallbladder removal. This geographic disparity can affect costs, as rural hospitals may charge premium rates due to lower case volumes and higher overhead per procedure. Urban areas benefit from greater competition among surgical centers.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

UnityPoint Health and MercyOne dominate Iowa's hospital landscape, operating both urban medical centers and rural critical access hospitals with varying cost structures. Hospital-owned outpatient surgical centers typically charge more than independent ambulatory surgery centers due to higher overhead and facility fees. Academic facilities like University of Iowa Hospitals command premium pricing.

Insurance Market Competition in Iowa

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield maintains the largest market share statewide, with United Healthcare and Aetna providing competition primarily in urban markets. This concentrated insurance market can limit negotiating power, though Wellmark's strong Iowa presence often results in extensive provider networks. Rural areas may have fewer insurer options, affecting negotiated rates.

Physician Supply and Demand in Iowa

With 337 active providers performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Iowa maintains reasonable surgical capacity relative to its population of 3.2 million residents. This adequate supply helps keep costs competitive, though wait times may be longer in rural areas where patients often travel to urban centers. Most general surgeons in Iowa perform gallbladder removals regularly.

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 Iowa

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

Without insurance, gallbladder removal surgery in Iowa typically costs between $89.75 and $3,082.14, with a median cost of $1,428.16 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-40% off standard rates when paying upfront. Many Iowa surgical centers offer payment plans and financial counseling to make the procedure more affordable for uninsured patients.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover Gallbladder Removal Surgery visits?

Yes, Iowa Medicaid covers medically necessary gallbladder removal surgery since the state expanded Medicaid coverage. Patients typically need prior authorization and must demonstrate medical necessity through symptoms, imaging, or complications from gallstones. Coverage includes both the initial surgical consultation and the laparoscopic procedure itself when performed by Medicaid-enrolled providers.

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

Compare costs between hospital-owned surgical centers and independent ambulatory surgery centers, as independent facilities often charge less. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community hospitals which may offer more flexible pricing than academic medical centers. Federally qualified health centers throughout Iowa can help coordinate affordable surgical care and provide payment assistance programs.

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

Initial surgical consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits, as they involve comprehensive evaluation, review of imaging studies, and surgical planning. The consultation cost is separate from the actual surgical procedure cost, which ranges from $89.75 to $3,082.14 in Iowa. Most insurance plans cover consultation visits under specialist copays, while the surgery itself is subject to deductibles and coinsurance.

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

Yes, gallbladder removal surgery qualifies as a medical expense for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can use these pre-tax dollars for deductibles, coinsurance, copays, and any portion not covered by insurance. Keep receipts for both the consultation and surgical procedure, as well as any related pre-operative testing or post-operative care expenses.

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

While the actual surgery must be performed in person, initial consultations can sometimes be conducted via telemedicine at lower cost than in-office visits. Telemedicine consultations are particularly valuable for Iowa patients in rural areas who would otherwise travel long distances for evaluation. However, physical examination and imaging review are usually necessary before surgery, so telemedicine serves mainly as a preliminary assessment tool.

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