Cost of a Septoplasty Visit
in California
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above the national average, with significant variations across the state's diverse metropolitan and rural markets. For a Septoplasty visit, patients typically pay between $80 and $2,160, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $820. California maintains 897 active Septoplasty providers across its major health systems, giving patients access to specialists from San Francisco's academic medical centers to Los Angeles's extensive hospital networks.
Average
$1,020
Median
$820
Lowest
$80
Highest
$2,160
Providers
897
11% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does septoplasty compare to related procedures in California?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endometrial Ablation Cost of endometrial ablation procedures including NovaSure (hysteroscopic), thermal balloon, and cryoablation, with state-by-state pricing. | 58563 | $245 | $1,904 | $6,978 | 778 |
| Chin Liposuction Cost of chin (submental) liposuction across the US, with state-by-state pricing for both office-based and ambulatory surgery center settings. | 15876 | $304 | $510 | $972 | 39 |
| Knee Replacement Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) | 27447 | $75 | $2,228 | $3,286 | 3,142 |
| Hip Replacement Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) | 27130 | $80 | $2,021 | $3,012 | 3,930 |
| Cataract Surgery Cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion | 66984 | $85 | $1,210 | $1,401 | 2,015 |
| Knee Arthroscopy Arthroscopy of the knee with meniscectomy | 29881 | $80 | $80 | $8,767 | 4,867 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 47562 | $75 | $1,094 | $1,714 | 6,358 |
| Appendectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic appendectomy | 44970 | $80 | $933 | $1,375 | 7,138 |
| Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic) Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | 58571 | $85 | $1,135 | $2,758 | 1,473 |
| Tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy, primary or secondary | 42820 | $80 | $265 | $705 | 1,717 |
| Inguinal Hernia Repair Inguinal hernia repair | 49505 | $423 | $975 | $1,216 | 2,424 |
| Mastectomy Partial or simple mastectomy | 19301 | $85 | $961 | $1,972 | 1,786 |
| Carpal Tunnel Surgery Open carpal tunnel release | 64721 | $80 | $261 | $1,930 | 2,261 |
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 30520 — Septoplasty or submucous resection). 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 30520 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 30520 (Septoplasty or submucous resection), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 30520 covers: the provider's professional fee for septoplasty. 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.
SANTA CRUZ, CA
IRVINE, CA
FRESNO, CA
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
TRUCKEE, CA
Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.
Why Septoplasty Visit Costs Vary Across California
California's healthcare costs run 18% above national averages, driven by the state's high cost of living, strict regulatory environment, and concentrated metropolitan markets. The dramatic geographic diversity from Silicon Valley to the Central Valley creates stark disparities in both provider access and pricing structures across the state's 58 counties.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
California's ENT specialists cluster heavily in metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, leaving rural counties in the Central Valley and Northern California significantly underserved. Patients in Fresno, Bakersfield, or Redding often travel 100+ miles for specialized septoplasty care, driving up total treatment costs. Urban areas offer competitive pricing due to provider density, while rural regions face limited options and higher per-visit charges.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned specialty clinics in California typically charge 40-60% more than independent ENT practices due to facility fees and higher overhead costs. Major health systems like Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and Cedars-Sinai maintain extensive outpatient networks but pass operational costs to patients through premium pricing. Academic medical centers at UC systems offer specialized expertise but often represent the highest-cost option for routine septoplasty evaluations.
Insurance Market Competition in California
California's insurance market features moderate competition with Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare controlling significant market share alongside regional players like Blue Shield of California. Kaiser's integrated model can reduce costs through coordinated care but limits provider choice, while traditional insurers offer broader networks at potentially higher out-of-pocket costs. Negotiated rates vary substantially between insurers, with some plans securing 20-30% better rates from the same providers.
Physician Supply and Demand in California
With 897 active septoplasty providers statewide, California maintains adequate specialist supply in metropolitan areas but faces shortages in rural regions and underserved communities. The state's large population and high demand for cosmetic and functional nasal surgery creates competitive market dynamics that can drive prices higher in premium locations. Wait times for consultations range from same-week availability in competitive urban markets to 4-6 weeks in underserved areas.
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 — Septoplasty Costs in California
What is the average cost of a Septoplasty visit in California without insurance?
Does California Medicaid cover Septoplasty visits?
How do I find an affordable Septoplasty near me in California?
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 Septoplasty visit in California?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Septoplasty in California?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 30520)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $95 – $4,419 | $1,865 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Range: $456 – $2,788 | $1,415 |
| 3 | Nebraska Range: $765 – $1,627 | $1,273 |
| 4 | Wyoming Range: $714 – $1,996 | $1,260 |
| 5 | Rhode Island Range: $555 – $2,160 | $1,256 |
| 6 | Georgia Range: $499 – $2,190 | $1,213 |
| 7 | Iowa Range: $549 – $1,627 | $1,201 |
| 8 | New Hampshire Range: $563 – $1,719 | $1,178 |
| 9 | Maine Range: $811 – $1,346 | $1,156 |
| 10 | Connecticut Range: $432 – $2,160 | $1,124 |
| 11 | Delaware Range: $449 – $2,160 | $1,112 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania Range: $434 – $2,160 | $1,104 |
| 13 | New York Range: $466 – $2,160 | $1,084 |
| 14 | District of Columbia Range: $461 – $1,588 | $1,036 |
| 15 | California Range: $80 – $2,160 | $1,020 |
| 16 | North Carolina Range: $500 – $1,710 | $1,012 |
| 17 | New Mexico Range: $566 – $1,494 | $996 |
| 18 | Colorado Range: $526 – $1,567 | $983 |
| 19 | Utah Range: $90 – $1,485 | $981 |
| 20 | West Virginia Range: $461 – $1,698 | $980 |
| 21 | Vermont Range: $500 – $1,577 | $966 |
| 22 | North Dakota Range: $381 – $1,627 | $952 |
| 23 | Kentucky Range: $435 – $1,627 | $951 |
| 24 | Washington Range: $80 – $1,793 | $910 |
| 25 | South Carolina Range: $466 – $1,422 | $856 |
| 26 | South Dakota Range: $90 – $1,627 | $855 |
| 27 | Oregon Range: $80 – $1,641 | $855 |
| 28 | Minnesota Range: $91 – $1,627 | $842 |
| 29 | Illinois Range: $512 – $1,289 | $828 |
| 30 | Maryland Range: $461 – $1,395 | $824 |
| 31 | Alabama Range: $433 – $1,315 | $812 |
| 32 | Mississippi Range: $471 – $1,357 | $808 |
| 33 | Tennessee Range: $516 – $1,155 | $801 |
| 34 | Arkansas Range: $433 – $1,074 | $798 |
| 35 | New Jersey Range: $406 – $1,411 | $794 |
| 36 | Virginia Range: $433 – $1,298 | $792 |
| 37 | Missouri Range: $573 – $954 | $783 |
| 38 | Oklahoma Range: $500 – $1,200 | $774 |
| 39 | Kansas Range: $569 – $981 | $772 |
| 40 | Hawaii Range: $80 – $1,376 | $771 |
| 41 | Idaho Range: $80 – $1,422 | $762 |
| 42 | Indiana Range: $90 – $1,472 | $748 |
| 43 | Michigan Range: $532 – $1,072 | $746 |
| 44 | Nevada Range: $463 – $1,103 | $731 |
| 45 | Louisiana Range: $399 – $1,133 | $723 |
| 46 | Arizona Range: $498 – $1,072 | $701 |
| 47 | Ohio Range: $357 – $1,116 | $688 |
| 48 | Texas Range: $90 – $1,309 | $679 |
| 49 | Alaska Range: $80 – $1,251 | $470 |
| 50 | Montana Range: $80 – $920 | $360 |
| 51 | Florida Range: $35 – $938 | $343 |