¿Cuánto Cuesta una Colonoscopía?

A colonoscopy can cost anywhere from $0 for a preventive screening to over $4,500 when you factor in facility fees, anesthesia, and pathology. According to CMS data, the average submitted charge for a screening colonoscopy (G0105) is about $1,459, with over 411,000 Medicare services per year. But here's what many patients don't know: under the ACA, preventive screening colonoscopies must be covered at $0 cost-sharing — even if polyps are found and removed during the procedure.

How Much Does a Colonoscopy Cost by Type?

Colonoscopy costs depend on why it's being performed, what's found during the procedure, and where it takes place. Here are the main types and their typical costs based on CMS data:

• Screening colonoscopy (G0105/G0121): Performed on patients at average or high risk for colorectal cancer as a preventive measure. Average submitted charge around $1,459 with over 411,000 Medicare services per year. Under the ACA, this is covered at $0 for patients meeting screening guidelines.
• Diagnostic colonoscopy (CPT 45378): Ordered to investigate symptoms like rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or abnormal imaging. Because it's diagnostic rather than preventive, it's subject to your deductible and cost-sharing. Typical submitted charges range from $1,200–$2,000.
• Colonoscopy with biopsy (CPT 45380): If tissue samples are taken during the procedure, the biopsy adds to the cost. Typical submitted charges range from $1,400–$2,500, plus $100–$500 for pathology to analyze the tissue.
• Colonoscopy with polypectomy (CPT 45385): When polyps are found and removed during the procedure. This is more complex and typically costs $1,500–$3,000 for the procedure itself. Importantly, if the colonoscopy started as a screening, ACA rules require that polyp removal still be covered at $0.

Remember that these are just the physician/procedure charges. The total bill typically includes three or four separate charges: the facility fee, the endoscopist's professional fee, anesthesia, and pathology (if biopsies are taken). Each may come from a different provider with a separate bill.

Why Colonoscopy Costs Vary So Much

The most significant cost variable is the facility. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are typically 40–60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments for the same colonoscopy procedure. This is because hospitals charge higher facility fees — even when the procedure room, equipment, and staff are essentially the same.

Other factors affecting cost include:

• Screening vs. diagnostic classification: This is the biggest financial distinction for patients. A screening colonoscopy is covered at $0, while a diagnostic one goes against your deductible. Unfortunately, some colonoscopies that start as screenings get reclassified as diagnostic — though recent federal rules are closing this loophole
• Anesthesia: Most colonoscopies use sedation or propofol anesthesia, which is billed separately. Anesthesia charges typically add $400–$1,000 depending on the duration and whether an anesthesiologist or CRNA is used
• Pathology: If polyps or tissue samples are collected, pathology charges of $100–$500 are added. Check that pathology is sent to an in-network lab
• Geographic variation: Colonoscopy costs can vary by 2–3x between different regions of the country

With Insurance vs. Without Insurance

With insurance (screening): Under the ACA, screening colonoscopies are covered as a preventive service with $0 cost-sharing for patients meeting age and risk guidelines. As of 2021, the recommended screening age was lowered from 50 to 45. You should owe nothing for the procedure, anesthesia, or facility fee.

With insurance (diagnostic): If the colonoscopy is ordered for symptoms or follow-up, it's classified as diagnostic and subject to your deductible and coinsurance. Out-of-pocket costs typically range from $500–$2,000 depending on your plan.

Without insurance: The full cost can range from $1,500 to $4,500+. However, ASCs often offer bundled cash prices of $1,500–$2,500 that include the procedure, facility, and anesthesia. Some facilities offer specific self-pay colonoscopy packages designed to compete on price transparency.

How to Lower Your Colonoscopy Cost

• Confirm it's coded as screening: If your colonoscopy qualifies as preventive screening, verify with your provider's office that they'll use screening codes (G0105/G0121) to ensure $0 cost-sharing
• Choose an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) over a hospital: ASCs typically charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedure
• Verify all providers are in-network: Check that the facility, endoscopist, anesthesiologist, and pathology lab are all in your insurance network. Out-of-network providers can send separate surprise bills
• Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool as a benchmark: Look up the Medicare rate for the specific colonoscopy CPT code to understand what a fair price looks like
• Ask for the cash/self-pay price: If you're uninsured or facing a high deductible, ASCs often offer competitive bundled cash prices
• Review your bill for unbundling: Verify that standard components of the colonoscopy aren't being billed as separate additional procedures

Want to check if your colonoscopy bill is fair? Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to see what Medicare pays for colonoscopy procedures in your area, or upload your bill for a full analysis.

Where This Data Comes From

Cost data shown on this page comes from two public CMS datasets: the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (what Medicare reimburses) and the Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data (what providers actually charge, based on 100% of Medicare fee-for-service claims). The map above shows average submitted charges by state from the 2023 utilization dataset.

These figures represent Medicare data only and may not reflect prices for commercially insured or uninsured patients. Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to search for any procedure.