Shock wave lithotripsy cost in Des Moines, IA — inpatient
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for shock-wave lithotripsy to break up kidney stones (from outside the body) as an inpatient: from $1,839.20 to $1,839.20, with a median of $1,839.20. Across Iowa, the median is $1,839.20 at 18 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 50590, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 28, 2026 and Jan 28, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical lowest Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 PR FRAGMENT KIDNEY STONE/ ESWL | $1,839.20 | $2,299.00 | $519.67–$1,792.27 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical lowest Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 PR FRAGMENT KIDNEY STONE/ ESWL | $1,839.20 | $2,299.00 | $519.67–$1,792.27 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $1,839.20, median $1,839.20, highest $1,839.20.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $10,291.75 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is not below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
Shock-wave lithotripsy breaks kidney or ureter stones into small pieces with sound waves aimed from outside the body, so the pieces can pass in the urine. No cut is made, and it is usually done under sedation or anesthesia.
What the price covers
The listed price usually covers the lithotripsy treatment in the facility. The urologist, anesthesia, X-rays and any stent placement are often billed separately; some hospitals rent the machine from an outside company, which can change how the charge is listed.