Cholecystectomy Cost in Madison, WI (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a cholecystectomy cost in Madison, WI?
Where you have a cholecystectomy done in Madison, WI swings the bill from $4,485 to $5,360 for identical care. The median cash price across 5 reporting hospitals is $4,810. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.
Three low-priced facilities in Madison, WI, from hospital price files
- SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Inc · Madison, WI $4,404
- Meriter Hospital, Inc · Madison, WI $4,810
- PRAIRIE RIDGE HEALTH INC · Columbus, WI $5,497
All 5 facilities are listed below, free.
Where cholecystectomy costs vary in Madison, WI
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery 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 Madison, WI
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Inc | Madison, WI | $4,404 | -$406 |
| 2 | Meriter Hospital, Inc | Madison, WI | $4,810 | +$0 |
| 3 | PRAIRIE RIDGE HEALTH INC | Columbus, WI | $5,497 | +$687 |
| 4 | Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital | Portage, WI | $5,872 | +$1,062 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost → · When the bills arrive, we check them for errors →
Quick take
- SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Inc is the lowest-cost option at $4,404 - $406 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 $4,810, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
Advocate Aurora Health (formed in the Illinois-Wisconsin merger) and Ascension Wisconsin are the dominant systems in the Milwaukee market, while UW Health anchors the Madison market. Wisconsin's hospital market is moderately competitive in major metros but increasingly concentrated in rural areas. Prices tend to run near or slightly below the Midwest median. 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.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not.
What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$4,810 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$962 |
| Out-of-network provider | $10,582+ |
Frequently asked questions: cholecystectomy costs in Madison, WI
How much does a cholecystectomy cost in Madison, WI?
The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $4,810, with most facilities between $4,404 and $5,360 (based on 5 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $1,512 to $5,872 across all 5 Madison, WI 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 Madison, WI?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Madison, WI data is Upland Hills Health Inc. in Dodgeville at about $1,512. By metro, Madison has the lowest median ($4,607). Freestanding ambulatory surgery 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 Madison, WI hospitals?
Prices vary up to 3.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Madison, WI, the median cash (self-pay) price is $4,810 versus a median negotiated rate of $4,810 - about 1× higher. Asking for the cash price as well as 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 Madison, WI?
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
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read your medical bill
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in Madison, WI
Cholecystectomy, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ambulatory surgery 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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