Rotator Cuff Surgery Cost in Iowa (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a rotator cuff surgery cost in Iowa?

The same rotator cuff surgery in Iowa might cost you $1,806 at one facility and $3,158 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 67 reporting hospitals is $2,100. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

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Where rotator cuff surgery costs vary in Iowa

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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Iowa's hospital market is dominated by UnityPoint Health and MercyOne (CommonSpirit), with relatively limited inter-system competition in most markets. Des Moines prices run below national averages, but facility fees at affiliated hospital systems can add substantially to the base service rates. University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is the primary academic referral center.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (3) report prices above $7,006, including Central Iowa Hospital Corporation at $6,882, 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 $2,100 versus $2,306 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. 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.

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: rotator cuff surgery costs in Iowa

How much does a rotator cuff surgery cost in Iowa?

The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $819, with most facilities between $614 and $1,548 (based on 67 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Posted cash prices start at $1,604, with a median of $2,100; outlier facilities are left out. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get a rotator cuff surgery in Iowa?

Based on declared prices, the lowest posted price in our Iowa data is JEFFERSON COUNTY HOSPITAL at about $1,604. By metro, Iowa City has the lowest median ($1,806). 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 rotator cuff surgery so much cheaper at some Iowa hospitals?

Typical prices vary about 2.5× (25th to 70th percentile of negotiated rates) because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Iowa, the median cash (self-pay) price is $2,116 versus a median negotiated rate of $819 - about 2.6× 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 rotator cuff surgery in Iowa?

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).