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California

Cost of a Upper Endoscopy Visit
in California

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

California's extensive network of gastroenterology centers and teaching hospitals provides patients with over 6,100 Upper Endoscopy providers across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. Patients typically pay between $80 and $598 for an Upper Endoscopy procedure, with negotiated rates running significantly below national averages at a median of $85. The state's competitive insurance market and high provider density create favorable pricing conditions, allowing patients to browse thousands of qualified Upper Endoscopy specialists throughout California.

Average

$254

Median

$85

Lowest

$80

Highest

$598

Providers

6,177

National avg: $383California: $254

34% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does upper endoscopy (egd) compare to related procedures in California?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy

Diagnostic colonoscopy

45378$85$85$6475,883
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$308$1,78512,256
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$30$453$1,7859,290
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$196$1,35216,316
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$16$49$8822,603
Echocardiogram

Transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler

93306$79$101$58617,572
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$52$90$2877,619

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 43235EGD, diagnostic). 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 43235 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 43235 (EGD, diagnostic), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 43235 covers: the provider's professional fee for upper endoscopy (egd). 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.

Why Upper Endoscopy Visit Costs Vary Across California

California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above national averages, reflecting the state's high cost of living and robust provider networks. The state's diverse geography creates distinct regional markets from high-cost urban centers to more affordable rural communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

California's major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego offer abundant Upper Endoscopy providers and competitive pricing, while rural counties in the Central Valley and Northern California may have limited specialist access. Patients in remote areas sometimes travel hundreds of miles for procedures, though telemedicine consultations help bridge some access gaps.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient departments in California typically charge more for Upper Endoscopy procedures than independent ambulatory surgery centers due to higher facility fees and overhead costs. Major health systems like Sutter Health, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health operate extensive networks that can offer coordination benefits but may have higher baseline costs.

Insurance Market Competition in California

California's competitive insurance market includes dominant players Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare, along with regional plans like Health Net and Blue Shield. This competition helps keep negotiated rates reasonable for Upper Endoscopy procedures, though Kaiser's integrated model creates a unique cost structure compared to traditional insurers.

Physician Supply and Demand in California

With over 6,100 Upper Endoscopy providers statewide, California maintains robust specialist availability relative to its population, particularly in urban areas. This healthy supply helps contain costs and reduces wait times, though geographic distribution favors metropolitan regions over rural counties where specialist shortages can drive up prices.

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 — Upper Endoscopy Costs in California

What is the average cost of a Upper Endoscopy visit in California without insurance?

Without insurance, Upper Endoscopy procedures in California typically cost between $80 and $598, with a median rate of $85 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer self-pay discounts that can reduce these costs by 20-40% for uninsured patients. The actual amount you pay depends on the facility type, geographic location, and whether additional biopsies or treatments are needed during the procedure.

Does California Medicaid cover Upper Endoscopy visits?

Yes, California's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Upper Endoscopy procedures with minimal patient cost-sharing for most beneficiaries. Coverage includes both diagnostic procedures for investigating symptoms and therapeutic interventions when clinically indicated. Prior authorization may be required for certain cases, so confirm coverage details with your Medi-Cal managed care plan before scheduling.

How do I find an affordable Upper Endoscopy near me in California?

Compare costs across different facility types, as ambulatory surgery centers often charge less than hospital outpatient departments for the same Upper Endoscopy procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider community health centers or federally qualified health centers for lower-cost options. Geographic location within California significantly affects pricing, with rural areas sometimes offering more affordable rates than urban centers.

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

Upper Endoscopy procedures are typically priced at $80 to $598 regardless of whether it's your first procedure or a follow-up, though the complexity and duration may vary. Initial consultations before the procedure usually involve standard gastroenterology visit fees, while follow-up appointments to discuss results are often shorter and less expensive. Some providers bundle consultation and procedure costs, while others bill them separately.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Upper Endoscopy visit in California?

Yes, Upper Endoscopy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts in California. This includes the procedure itself, related consultations, prep medications, and any pathology fees for tissue samples. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement, as HSA and FSA funds can provide significant tax savings for these medical expenses.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Upper Endoscopy in California?

While the actual Upper Endoscopy procedure must be performed in person, initial consultations and follow-up appointments can often be conducted via telemedicine at lower costs than office visits. California's robust telehealth infrastructure allows many gastroenterologists to provide virtual consultations for discussing symptoms, reviewing results, or planning treatment. Telehealth visits typically cost 20-30% less than in-person consultations and may improve access for patients in rural areas.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$195
$1,697

Office visit (CPT 43235)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $130$4,430
$1,697
2Massachusetts
Range: $159$1,259
$625
3New Hampshire
Range: $288$813
$547
4Maine
Range: $333$583
$493
5Nebraska
Range: $176$691
$487
6Iowa
Range: $135$691
$473
7North Dakota
Range: $118$853
$440
8Wyoming
Range: $161$864
$438
9Georgia
Range: $119$830
$433
10North Carolina
Range: $120$853
$424
11West Virginia
Range: $93$889
$419
12Vermont
Range: $211$673
$415
13Minnesota
Range: $117$695
$408
14Washington
Range: $152$759
$408
15Rhode Island
Range: $109$718
$406
16Utah
Range: $98$627
$405
17New York
Range: $159$771
$401
18New Mexico
Range: $141$724
$391
19District of Columbia
Range: $115$701
$387
20Alaska
Range: $105$759
$380
21Connecticut
Range: $118$683
$367
22Indiana
Range: $90$691
$361
23Delaware
Range: $109$701
$361
24Pennsylvania
Range: $90$715
$360
25South Dakota
Range: $103$691
$356
26Missouri
Range: $115$535
$354
27New Jersey
Range: $74$758
$354
28Oregon
Range: $85$691
$346
29Maryland
Range: $109$666
$337
30Hawaii
Range: $82$636
$331
31Colorado
Range: $117$627
$329
32Kentucky
Range: $106$631
$328
33Michigan
Range: $121$572
$322
34Idaho
Range: $86$623
$316
35Illinois
Range: $118$534
$314
36South Carolina
Range: $109$564
$305
37Montana
Range: $90$581
$301
38Arkansas
Range: $90$535
$299
39Nevada
Range: $197$467
$297
40Virginia
Range: $95$551
$291
41Mississippi
Range: $101$544
$291
42Alabama
Range: $98$500
$279
43Texas
Range: $90$508
$276
44Louisiana
Range: $96$484
$270
45Tennessee
Range: $101$473
$266
46Oklahoma
Range: $85$521
$263
47Kansas
Range: $115$411
$262
48California
Range: $80$598
$254
49Ohio
Range: $77$474
$249
50Arizona
Range: $71$455
$233
51Florida
Range: $35$496
$195
Upper Endoscopy (EGD) in Other States