Cholecystectomy Cost in Pennsylvania (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a cholecystectomy cost in Pennsylvania?
Expect roughly $2,906 to $7,303 for a cholecystectomy in Pennsylvania if you're commercially insured - that range already folds in both the facility charge and the physician fee. The median reported facility price across 77 hospitals is $1,592. It's built from CMS fee schedules and federally mandated hospital price transparency data.
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Where cholecystectomy costs vary in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn Highlands Dubois | Dubois, PA | $540 | -$1,052 |
| 2 | Penn Highlands Elk | Saint Marys, PA | $540 | -$1,052 |
| 3 | Penn Highlands Huntingdon | Huntingdon, PA | $540 | -$1,052 |
| 4 | Penn Highlands Tyrone | Tyrone, PA | $540 | -$1,052 |
| 5 | Penn Highlands Brookville | Brookville, PA | $540 | -$1,052 |
| 6 | Lehigh Valley Hospital - Dickson City | Dickson City, PA | $600 | -$992 |
| 7 | Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton | Hazleton, PA | $600 | -$992 |
| 8 | Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono | East Stroudsburg, PA | $600 | -$992 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Penn Highlands Dubois is the lowest-cost option at $540 - $1,052 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 $2,015, 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 $21–$16,175
- Professional fee $980–$5,380
Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers
- Facility fee $247–$11,934
- Professional fee $980–$5,380
Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers
Pennsylvania has a highly fragmented hospital market - Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health, and Tower Health compete in Philadelphia; UPMC and Highmark/Allegheny Health Network are engaged in one of the country's most litigated payer-provider disputes in Pittsburgh. The UPMC vs. Highmark conflict has directly affected patients' ability to use their insurance at in-network facilities. Rural Pennsylvania prices are substantially lower than the two major metro markets. 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 (6) report prices above $10,600, including Wayne Memorial Hospital at $16,175, 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 $1,592 versus $2,538 inpatient (about 1.6× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick.
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.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$3,924 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$785 |
| Out-of-network provider | $8,633+ |
Frequently asked questions: cholecystectomy costs in Pennsylvania
How much does a cholecystectomy cost in Pennsylvania?
The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $900, with most facilities between $600 and $1,016 (based on 77 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $306 to $67,673 across all 77 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Pennsylvania data is Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber in Windber at about $21. By metro, Philadelphia has the lowest median ($1,502). 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 Pennsylvania hospitals?
Prices vary up to 221.2× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Pennsylvania, the median cash (self-pay) price is $2,015 versus a median negotiated rate of $900 - about 2.2× 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 Pennsylvania?
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
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Pennsylvania
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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