Cholecystectomy Cost in North Dakota (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a cholecystectomy cost in North Dakota?
A typical cholecystectomy in North Dakota costs $3,153–$9,348 for a commercially insured patient, including facility and physician fees. The median reported facility price across 17 hospitals is $1,890. This estimate is based on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.
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Where cholecystectomy costs vary in North Dakota
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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Cheapest Cholecystectomy Providers in North Dakota
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanford Medical Center Bismarck | Bismarck, ND | $1,548 | -$342 |
| 2 | Sanford Fargo Medical Center | Fargo, ND | $1,663 | -$227 |
| 3 | Altru Hospital Devils Lake | Devils Lake, ND | $1,669 | -$221 |
| 4 | Altru Hospital | Grand Forks, ND | $1,774 | -$116 |
| 5 | Langdon Prairie Health | Langdon, ND | $1,796 | -$94 |
| 6 | CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson | Dickinson, ND | $1,830 | -$60 |
| 7 | Heart of America Medical Center | Rugby, ND | $1,890 | +$0 |
| 8 | Unity Medical Center | Graften, ND | $1,943 | +$53 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Sanford Medical Center Bismarck is the lowest-cost option at $1,548 - $342 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $1,943, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Ask whether this procedure can be done at a freestanding ambulatory surgical center - they're typically 30-60% cheaper than a hospital for identical care, and most aren't in this hospital-only dataset.
How where you go changes what you pay for cholecystectomy
The same cholecystectomy bundles different services depending on the setting - facility fee, surgeon fee, and anesthesia each arrive as separate bills. Estimated ranges below reflect the typical full bundled cost, including all expected charges.
- Facility fee $452–$10,322
- Professional fee $980–$5,380
Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers
- Facility fee $1,081–$10,322
- Professional fee $980–$5,380
Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers
Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius divide most of North Dakota's hospital market, with Bismarck and Fargo each effectively dominated by one system. The state's oil-economy wage growth has increased hospital labor costs, pushing prices above what the rural market structure would otherwise suggest. Critical access hospitals cover most of the rural tier. 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
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $1,890 versus $2,155 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.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$4,222 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$844 |
| Out-of-network provider | $9,288+ |
Frequently asked questions: cholecystectomy costs in North Dakota
How much does a cholecystectomy cost in North Dakota?
The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $742, with most facilities between $658 and $5,551 (based on 16 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $374 to $23,928 across all 17 North Dakota hospitals that publish prices. 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 North Dakota?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our North Dakota data is PAM Cubed Rehabilitation Hospital of Fargo LLC in Fargo at about $452. By metro, Fargo has the lowest median ($1,058). 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 North Dakota hospitals?
Prices vary up to 64× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In North Dakota, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,943 versus a median negotiated rate of $742 - about 2.6× 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 North Dakota?
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.
Before you book
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in North Dakota
Cholecystectomy, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same cholecystectomy - same outcome, very different bill. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
What's on your bill
A cholecystectomy involves multiple providers who bill separately - typically Facility Fee, Surgeon Professional Fee, Anesthesia. Check each line item against your Explanation of Benefits to catch billing errors.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this cholecystectomy changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for cholecystectomy before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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