Cash prices 803 hospitals

Appendectomy cost without insurance

The median cash price for Appendectomy is $7,737.00 across 803 US hospitals that publish a self-pay price. Most hospitals (the middle 80%) charge between $1,376.36 and $22,006.19.

Appendicitis is an emergency, so an appendectomy usually starts in the emergency room with an exam, blood tests and a CT scan, each billed separately. Most appendixes are removed laparoscopically. A ruptured appendix with infection in the belly takes longer and usually means several days in the hospital.

Collected Nov 10, 2026 One price per hospital, from each hospital's own price file

Appendectomy prices by type

44970 is laparoscopic appendectomy and is used in the state table; 44950 is open appendectomy; and 44960 is removal of a ruptured appendix with infection.

Procedure	Hospitals	Middle 80%	Median	Medicare
Appendectomy Laparoscopic appendectomy (appendix removal through small cuts) · code 44970	803	$1,376.36–$22,006.19	$7,737.00	—
Open appendectomy Appendectomy, open surgery · code 44950	350	$1,021.58–$14,664.00	$5,787.15	—
Appendectomy, ruptured appendix Appendectomy for a ruptured appendix with abscess or peritonitis · code 44960	154	$1,108.38–$9,150.30	$2,977.10	—

Procedure The service and its billing code (CPT or HCPCS). Opens the comparison of every hospital that prices it. More

Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.

Middle 80% Cash prices of most hospitals: a tenth of hospitals charge less than the first number (P10), a tenth charge more than the second (P90). More

Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More

Medicare Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same outpatient service, including the patient's share, before the local wage adjustment. A yardstick, not a price you can pay. More

What the hospital price covers

The hospital price is usually the facility fee for the operation. The emergency room visit, scans, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and any night in the hospital bill separately.

“Most charge” is the middle 80% of hospitals (10th to 90th percentile), so one mistyped line in a hospital file cannot stretch it. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price for the code. “Medicare” is Medicare's 2026 national base rate for the same service outside a hospital stay, including the patient's share (the hospital outpatient, lab or hospital clinic rate); “median 3×” means the median cash price is three times that rate.

Appendectomy: median by state

States with at least 5 hospitals, cheapest median first. Pick a state for its appendectomy prices and cheapest hospitals.

Appendectomy: median by metro area

Metro areas with at least 10 hospitals.

Paying cash: what to do

Because appendicitis is an emergency, you cannot shop around. Ask the hospital for its self-pay discount and financial assistance afterward.
Ask for an itemized bill and compare it with the hospital's published cash prices.
Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance; ask for the application.

Questions

How much does an appendectomy cost without insurance?

The median hospital cash price for Appendectomy (code 44970) is $7,737.00 across 803 US hospitals that publish a self-pay price; most charge $1,376.36 to $22,006.19. By state, the median runs from $1,376.80 in Montana to $18,643.74 in South Carolina. The hospital price is usually the facility fee for the operation. The emergency room visit, scans, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and any night in the hospital bill separately.

Can appendicitis be treated without surgery?

Some uncomplicated cases are treated with antibiotics alone, but surgery remains the most common treatment.

How long is the hospital stay?

Often same day or one night for uncomplicated cases, several days for a ruptured appendix.

What are the warning signs?

Pain that starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right, with fever, nausea or vomiting.