Colonoscopy Cost Case Study: Surgery Center vs Hospital Saves $3,450

The Situation

S.K., a 52-year-old self-pay patient in Phoenix, was due for a screening colonoscopy. Their gastroenterologist's office scheduled the procedure at the hospital where the doctor had privileges. The hospital's scheduling department quoted $4,800 — broken down as $2,800 facility fee, $1,200 physician fee, and $800 anesthesia.

Under the ACA, screening colonoscopies are covered at 100% with insurance. But as a self-pay patient, S.K. faced the full sticker price.

What They Did

Using FairVisitHealth, S.K. searched for colonoscopy prices in the Phoenix metro area. The platform revealed dramatic price variation:

• Hospital A (original): $4,800
• Hospital B: $4,200
• Ambulatory Surgery Center A: $1,650 (all-inclusive)
• Ambulatory Surgery Center B: $1,350 (all-inclusive)
• Ambulatory Surgery Center C: $1,500 (all-inclusive)

The key difference: surgery centers offered all-inclusive cash-pay packages bundling facility, physician, anesthesia, and pathology fees into a single price. Hospitals quoted each component separately, and the total was 3-4x higher.

The Result

S.K. asked their gastroenterologist if they also performed colonoscopies at a nearby surgery center. The doctor confirmed they had privileges at ASC B and booked the procedure there for $1,350 all-in.

Why Colonoscopy Prices Vary So Much

Colonoscopy is one of the most price-variable procedures in US healthcare. The primary driver is facility fees. Hospital outpatient departments charge facility fees of $1,500-$3,000 for providing the room, nursing staff, and equipment. Surgery centers charge $300-$800 for the same resources because their overhead is dramatically lower.

According to CMS data aggregated by FairVisitHealth, national colonoscopy price ranges are:

• Hospital outpatient: $2,500 - $4,800+
• Ambulatory surgery center: $1,000 - $2,000 (all-inclusive)

Key Takeaways