Cholecystectomy Cost in San Francisco, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a cholecystectomy cost in San Francisco, CA?

Where you have a cholecystectomy done in San Francisco, CA swings the bill from $540 to $7,145 for identical care. The median cash price across 10 reporting hospitals is $3,022. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.

Where cholecystectomy costs vary in San Francisco, CA

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.

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California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is one of the most common ambulatory surgeries in the US, and facility type is the single biggest cost lever - ambulatory surgery centers charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for identical outcomes. Most commercial payers require prior authorization, and the surgeon and anesthesiologist bill separately from the facility, so confirming all three providers are in-network prevents unexpected out-of-network charges.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $17,058, including MarinHealth Medical Center at $28,641, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $3,022 versus $1,612 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick.

On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.

Frequently asked questions: cholecystectomy costs in San Francisco, CA

How much does a cholecystectomy cost in San Francisco, CA?

Across 10 San Francisco, CA hospitals that publish prices, a cholecystectomy ranges from $534 to $28,641, with a median of $3,022. Most facilities fall between $536 and $7,145. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get a cholecystectomy in San Francisco, CA?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our San Francisco, CA data is Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City at about $534. By metro, San Francisco has the lowest median ($534). 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 a cholecystectomy so much cheaper at some San Francisco, CA hospitals?

Prices vary up to 53.6× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In San Francisco, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $7,145 versus a median negotiated rate of $2,330 - about 3.1× 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 a cholecystectomy in San Francisco, CA?

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).