Appendectomy Cost in Denver, CO (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a appendectomy cost in Denver, CO?

You could pay $1,064 or $2,515 for the same appendectomy in Denver, CO - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 11 reporting hospitals is $1,726. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where appendectomy costs vary in Denver, CO

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

26+ people checked prices near them this month.

UCHealth and CommonSpirit Health (formerly SCL Health) dominate the Front Range market, with Centura Health (now Intermountain) adding competition in the Denver corridor. Denver and Boulder wage indices are among the highest in the Mountain West, pushing Medicare-adjusted rates up relative to rural Colorado. The urban-rural price gap in Colorado is one of the widest in the country. Appendectomy is largely an emergency procedure, which eliminates most price shopping. The main cost driver is surgical approach and admission status: uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomies are increasingly performed as same-day outpatient cases at substantially lower total cost than open or complicated inpatient stays. Your primary out-of-pocket exposure is driven by your deductible and whether the facility and surgeon are both in-network.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (2) report prices above $4,692, including Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center-Mental Health at $5,834, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. Setting drives most of the spread here: an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) is usually meaningfully cheaper than a hospital operating room for the same procedure, when your case qualifies.

None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.

Frequently asked questions: appendectomy costs in Denver, CO

How much does an appendectomy cost in Denver, CO?

Across 11 Denver, CO hospitals that publish prices, an appendectomy ranges from $625 to $5,834, with a median of $1,726. Most facilities fall between $1,064 and $2,515. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get an appendectomy in Denver, CO?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Denver, CO data is Eating Recovery Center-Eating Disorder at about $625. By metro, Denver has the lowest median ($1,395). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.

Why is an appendectomy so much cheaper at some Denver, CO hospitals?

Prices vary up to 9.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Denver, CO, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,726 versus a median negotiated rate of $905 - about 1.9× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.

How much will I actually pay out of pocket for an appendectomy in Denver, CO?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).