Biopsy pathology exam cost in Iowa
In Iowa, 82 hospitals publish a cash price for biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV): from $57.00 to $562.00, with a median of $178.10. The lowest price is at MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center (Davenport). The highest price is 9.9× the lowest.
- The median here, $178.10, is 5% above the US median of $170.33.
- That is 3.3× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($53.24).
- Iowa ranks 27th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 8 of 82 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 88305. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 7, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$57.00MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center
Median$178.10half of hospitals charge less
Highest$562.00in Iowa
Lowest saves$121.10vs the median
Hospitals in Iowa, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center lowest Davenport · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Pathology Specimen Lvl 4, bill-only | $57.00 | $95.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center Davenport · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Pathology Specimen Lvl 4, bill-only | $64.20 | $107.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Genesis DeWitt Medical Center Dewitt · Clinton, IA 88305 AP Bill Surgical Pathology Level IV Complexity | $64.20 | $107.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Council Bluffs · Omaha, NE-IA Chg Gross/Micro Surg Ref Consult | $67.80 | $226.00 | Feb 15, 2026 source file |
| Adair County Memorial Hospital Greenfield · Greenfield, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $75.00 | $100.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Regional Medical Center Manchester · Manchester, IA TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST | $78.40 | $98.00 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Shelby County Chris A Myrtue Memorial Hospital Harlan · Harlan, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $91.64 | $158.00 | Apr 21, 2026 source file |
| Lakes Regional Hospital Spirit Lake · Spirit Lake, IA | $92.15 | $97.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's Methodist Hospital Cedar Rapids · Cedar Rapids, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $98.56 | $123.20 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Jones Regional Medical Center Anamosa · Cedar Rapids, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $98.56 | $123.20 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Boone County Hospital Boone · Ames, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $112.50 | $140.62 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Cass County Memorial Hospital Atlantic · Atlantic, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $112.70 | $161.00 | Jun 1, 2026 source file |
| Manning Regional Healthcare Center Manning · Carroll, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $116.58 | $174.00 | Oct 16, 2026 source file |
| Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Knoxville · Pella, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $118.20 | $197.00 | Jan 24, 2026 source file |
| Madison County Memorial Hospital Winterset · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $119.20 | $149.00 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Hawarden Regional Healthcare Harwarden · Harwarden, IA TISSUE EXAM LEVE IV | $119.90 | $141.06 | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Spencer Municipal Hospital Spencer · Spencer, IA Surg Path L4 | $120.00 | $160.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Dallas County Hospital Perry · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA PATH/HISTOLOGY | $122.00 | $188.00 | May 29, 2026 source file |
| Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Lake City · Lake City, IA PATH 88305 /R1 | $122.00 | $153.00 | Oct 8, 2024 source file |
| Allen Hospital Waterloo · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Grinnell Regional Medical Center Grinnell · Grinnell, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Regional Medical Center Sioux City · Sioux City, IA-NE-SD HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| The Finley Hospital Dubuque · Dubuque, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Trinity - Bettendorf Bettendorf · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Trinity Regional Medical Center Fort Dodge · Fort Dodge, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Unity Healthcare Muscatine · Muscatine, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health Marshalltown Marshalltown · Marshalltown, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $126.41 | $158.00 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Van Diest Medical Center Webster City · Webster City, IA Bill Path Level 4 | $127.20 | $159.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Rawford County Memorial Hospital Denison · Denison, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $128.00 | $160.00 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinic West Union · West Union, IA SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAM, LEVEL 4 | $136.62 | $230.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Veterans Memorial Hospital City of Waukon Ia Waukon · Waukon, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $138.51 | $243.00 | Oct 8, 2026 source file |
| Jefferson County Hospital Fairfield · Fairfield, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $142.20 | $237.00 | Aug 20, 2026 source file |
| Floyd County Memorial Hospital Commission Charles City · Charles City, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $144.00 | $360.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home Carroll · Carroll, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $153.00 | $153.00 | Nov 3, 2026 source file |
| Audubon County Memorial Hospital Audubon · Audubon, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $160.00 | $160.00 | Sep 14, 2026 source file |
| Monroe County Hospital Albia · Albia, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $160.80 | $268.00 | Sep 9, 2026 source file |
| Palo Alto County Hospital Emmetsburg · Emmetsburg, IA Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, | $171.00 | $228.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Waverly Health Center Waverly · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $172.12 | $331.00 | Oct 19, 2026 source file |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Tissue Exam By Pathologist | $176.00 | $176.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center - New Hampton New Hampton · New Hampton, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $178.10 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center Dyersville · Dubuque, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $178.10 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Elkader · Elkader, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $178.10 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Newton Medical Center Newton · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $178.10 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center Oelwein · Oelwein, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $178.10 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Clarinda Regional Health Center Clarinda · Clarinda, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $182.25 | $243.00 | Oct 23, 2026 source file |
| Decatur County Hospital Leon · Leon, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $183.20 | $229.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Jackson County Regional Health Center Maquoketa · Maquoketa, IA PATH GANDM LEVEL IV BILL ONLY | $185.00 | $185.00 | Aug 11, 2026 source file |
| Washington County Hospital Washington · Iowa City, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $187.50 | $250.00 | Oct 20, 2026 source file |
| Alegent Health - Mercy Hospital, Corning Iowa Corning · Corning, IA HC LEVEL 4 GROSS EXAM | $187.65 | $417.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Wayne County Hospital Corydon · Corydon, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $188.00 | $188.00 | Jun 10, 2026 source file |
| Kossuth Regional Health Center Algona · Algona, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $188.80 | $236.00 | Jul 16, 2026 source file |
| CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs Council Bluffs · Omaha, NE-IA HC LEVEL 4 GROSS EXAM | $190.49 | $443.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Loring Hospital Sac City · Sac City, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $192.00 | $240.00 | Aug 25, 2026 source file |
| Van Buren County Hospital Keosauqua · Keosauqua, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $205.80 | $294.00 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| Hancock County Health System Britt · Britt, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $207.75 | $277.00 | Oct 20, 2026 source file |
| Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital of Missouri Valley, Iowa Missouri Valley · Omaha, NE-IA HC LEVEL 4 GROSS EXAM | $208.50 | $417.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Orange City Municipal Hospital Orange City · Orange City, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $224.80 | $281.00 | Sep 23, 2026 source file |
| Grundy County Memorial Hospital Grundy Center · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $232.80 | $291.00 | Jun 29, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center Mason City · Mason City, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $235.30 | $362.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Story County Hospital Nevada · Ames, IA CHG SURG PATH,LEVEL IV | $240.80 | $301.00 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC External Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $243.10 | $374.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque · Dubuque, IA HC External Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $243.10 | $374.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center Waterloo · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $247.00 | $380.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton · Clinton, IA HC External Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $250.90 | $386.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Greene County Medical Center Jefferson · Jefferson, IA PATH 88305 /R1 | $255.92 | $457.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Centerville Medical Center Centerville · Centerville, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $274.00 | $274.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Franklin General Hospital Hampton · Hampton, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $288.90 | $321.00 | Nov 3, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center Sumner · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC SURG PATH, LEVEL-IV | $289.80 | $362.25 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City · Iowa City, IA HB SURG PATH - GROSS AND MICRO EXAM - LEVEL 4 | $294.00 | $420.00 | Mar 11, 2026 source file |
| University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City · Iowa City, IA HB SURG PATH - GROSS AND MICRO EXAM - LEVEL 4 | $294.00 | $420.00 | Mar 11, 2026 source file |
| WinnMed Decorah · Decorah, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $298.20 | $426.00 | Oct 13, 2026 source file |
| Shenandoah Medical Center Shenandoah · Shenandoah, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $327.60 | $504.00 | Sep 21, 2026 source file |
| Hansen Family Hospital Iowa Falls · Iowa Falls, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $350.20 | $350.20 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Sheldon Medical Center Sheldon · Sheldon, IA SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV 88305 | $359.20 | $449.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Avera Holy Family Hospital Estherville · Estherville, IA | $373.45 | $385.00 | — source file |
| Avera Merrill Pioneer Rock Rapids · Rock Rapids, IA | $373.45 | $385.00 | — source file |
| Belmond Community Hospital Belmond · Belmond, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $383.40 | $639.00 | Apr 22, 2026 source file |
| Iowa Specialty Hospital-Clarion Clarion · Clarion, IA Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $383.40 | $639.00 | Jun 11, 2026 source file |
| Sioux Center Health Sioux Center · Sioux Center, IA | $441.35 | $455.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Sartori Memorial Hospital Cedar Falls · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $489.45 | $753.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center West Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC External Surgical Pathology Level 4 Gross & Microscopic Examination | $562.00 | $562.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 7 | $119.20 | $176.00 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 6 | $126.41 | $239.90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3 | $57.00 | $64.20 |
| Dubuque, IA | 3 | $126.41 | $178.10 |
| Iowa City, IA | 3 | $187.50 | $294.00 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 3 | $67.80 | $190.49 |
| Ames, IA | 2 | $112.50 | $176.65 |
| Carroll, IA | 2 | $116.58 | $134.79 |
| Clinton, IA | 2 | $64.20 | $157.55 |
| Albia, IA | 1 | $160.80 | $160.80 |
| Algona, IA | 1 | $188.80 | $188.80 |
| Atlantic, IA | 1 | $112.70 | $112.70 |
| Audubon, IA | 1 | $160.00 | $160.00 |
| Belmond, IA | 1 | $383.40 | $383.40 |
| Britt, IA | 1 | $207.75 | $207.75 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1 | $98.56 | $98.56 |
| Centerville, IA | 1 | $274.00 | $274.00 |
| Charles City, IA | 1 | $144.00 | $144.00 |
| Clarinda, IA | 1 | $182.25 | $182.25 |
| Clarion, IA | 1 | $383.40 | $383.40 |
| Corning, IA | 1 | $187.65 | $187.65 |
| Corydon, IA | 1 | $188.00 | $188.00 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1 | $98.56 | $98.56 |
| Decorah, IA | 1 | $298.20 | $298.20 |
| Denison, IA | 1 | $128.00 | $128.00 |
| Elkader, IA | 1 | $178.10 | $178.10 |
| Emmetsburg, IA | 1 | $171.00 | $171.00 |
| Estherville, IA | 1 | $373.45 | $373.45 |
| Fairfield, IA | 1 | $142.20 | $142.20 |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 1 | $126.41 | $126.41 |
| Greenfield, IA | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Grinnell, IA | 1 | $126.41 | $126.41 |
| Hampton, IA | 1 | $288.90 | $288.90 |
| Harlan, IA | 1 | $91.64 | $91.64 |
| Harwarden, IA | 1 | $119.90 | $119.90 |
| Iowa Falls, IA | 1 | $350.20 | $350.20 |
| Jefferson, IA | 1 | $255.92 | $255.92 |
| Keosauqua, IA | 1 | $205.80 | $205.80 |
| Lake City, IA | 1 | $122.00 | $122.00 |
| Leon, IA | 1 | $183.20 | $183.20 |
| Manchester, IA | 1 | $78.40 | $78.40 |
| Maquoketa, IA | 1 | $185.00 | $185.00 |
| Marshalltown, IA | 1 | $126.41 | $126.41 |
| Mason City, IA | 1 | $235.30 | $235.30 |
| Muscatine, IA | 1 | $126.41 | $126.41 |
| New Hampton, IA | 1 | $178.10 | $178.10 |
| Oelwein, IA | 1 | $178.10 | $178.10 |
| Orange City, IA | 1 | $224.80 | $224.80 |
| Pella, IA | 1 | $118.20 | $118.20 |
| Rock Rapids, IA | 1 | $373.45 | $373.45 |
| Sac City, IA | 1 | $192.00 | $192.00 |
| Sheldon, IA | 1 | $359.20 | $359.20 |
| Shenandoah, IA | 1 | $327.60 | $327.60 |
| Sioux Center, IA | 1 | $441.35 | $441.35 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1 | $126.41 | $126.41 |
| Spencer, IA | 1 | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 1 | $92.15 | $92.15 |
| Waukon, IA | 1 | $138.51 | $138.51 |
| Webster City, IA | 1 | $127.20 | $127.20 |
| West Union, IA | 1 | $136.62 | $136.62 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What biopsy pathology exam is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Biopsy pathology exam explained.
Biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV) in other states
- Alabama$168.00
- Alaska$290.06
- Arizona$85.96
- Arkansas$77.39
- California$130.00
- Colorado$496.64
- Connecticut$218.35
- Delaware$381.35
- District of Columbia$353.47, 3 hospitals
- Florida$116.24
- Georgia$84.07
- Hawaii$254.80
- Idaho$219.75
- Illinois$245.00
- Indiana$259.15
- Kansas$218.25
- Kentucky$119.60
- Louisiana$84.96
- Maine$139.68
- Maryland$172.46
- Massachusetts$171.50
- Michigan$109.10
- Minnesota$141.92
- Mississippi$80.60
- Missouri$197.90
- Montana$201.60
- Nebraska$196.80
- Nevada$74.33
- New Hampshire$263.14
- New Jersey$97.92
- New Mexico$206.00
- New York$152.88
- North Carolina$178.80
- North Dakota$123.22
- Ohio$203.45
- Oklahoma$132.00
- Oregon$197.60
- Pennsylvania$169.20
- Puerto Rico$140.00, 1 hospital
- Rhode Island$111.30
- South Carolina$190.80
- South Dakota$161.20
- Tennessee$75.45
- Texas$296.13
- Utah$485.46
- Vermont$261.69
- Virginia$217.80
- Washington$168.90
- West Virginia$108.67
- Wisconsin$215.80
- Wyoming$98.19
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.