How Much Does a Colonoscopy Cost?
After you reach the age of 50, your colon cancer risk rises significantly. In fact, 90 percent of colon cancer patients are diagnosed when they are over 50 years of age. Routine colonoscopies (approximately every 3 to 10 years) after the age of 50 can reduce the odds of death by colon cancer as much as 40 percent. Unfortunately, however, the average American waits until they are 57 years old for their first colonoscopy.
What is keeping so many people from this life-saving procedure?
Many say it is because they don’t know the cost of a colonoscopy.
You may have noticed that ASCs (ambulatory surgery centers) are now widespread throughout the country. ASCs are outpatient facilities with a reputation for offering greater convenience, fewer complications, and better access than hospitals for the same procedures. What many people may not realize is that these freestanding surgery centers also offer lower cost health care.
How much does a colonoscopy actually cost?
There are many things that go into determining the cost of a medical procedure, including:
- Doctor fees
- Facility fees
- Anesthesia fees
The biggest price inconsistency usually comes from pathology lab fees. If your gastroenterologist doesn’t find any polyps or adenomas during your colonoscopy , lab tests are not needed, therefore you will not incur any pathology fees. However, there is no way to know beforehand whether or not your physician will find anything abnormal, which makes the cost of a colonoscopy more of an estimated range than a concrete price. Your insurance carrier and type of coverage will also be a factor in the cost of your colonoscopy, but Tulsa Endoscopy Center will gladly help you track down this information so you can make an informed decision.
Procedures at Tulsa Endoscopy Center costs about half as much as hospitals
An average procedure performed at an ASC costs about half of those performed at a hospital or hospital-owned facility—even when performed by the same physician. In fact, most healthy patients who are eligible for a colonoscopy don’t have any out-of-pocket costs; their health insurance covers the entire procedure.
When you choose to have your colonoscopy performed at an ASC, you are making a choice for high quality health care. Tulsa Endoscopy Center is staffed by board certified gastroenterologists , maintains rigorous accreditations and certifications for safety and quality, and delivers unparalleled patient satisfaction.
A Consumer Reports article in 2016 found that ASCs are providing patients with more than the convenience of curbside access. ASCs also have extremely knowledgeable medical staff, cutting-edge technology, and a better price for most procedures than hospitals.
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Tulsa Endoscopy Center also offers cash pricing and payment plans to assist you with getting the care you need to effectively prevent and detect colon cancer. Don’t let questions about pricing get in the way of scheduling your colonoscopy . The team at Tulsa Endoscopy Center will guide you every step of the way to answer your questions and support your digestive health.