2026 Pricing Data
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$12,000
Typical range: $5,000 – $20,000
Recovery
7–21 days
Risk Level
Moderate
Duration
30–90 min
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026
Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without
With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$3,909–$4,640
- PPO (typical)$3,909
- HDHP (high-deductible)$4,640
- Medicare (inpatient)$1,676
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$5,000–$20,000
National average: $12,000
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.
Understanding the Investment
Key Takeaways
- National average: $12,000 (range: $5,000–$20,000)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — Covered by virtually all insurance plans as medically necessary for...
- Recovery: 7–21 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
Gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy, is a common surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder, often due to gallstones or inflammation. Over 700,000 gallbladder removals are performed each year in the US, with most being laparoscopic.
The facility fee, covering the surgical center or hospital's charges, and the surgeon's professional fee are significant cost drivers. Anesthesia and surgical supplies also contribute substantially to the overall price, though these are often bundled into the facility fee.
Consider having your procedure done at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) rather than a hospital, as ASCs often have lower facility fees. Incisional hernias sometimes develop after abdominal surgery — see our hernia repair cost guide if this applies. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
30% of total · $2,520-$4,680
$2,520-$4,680
Hospital or surgical center facility charge
Surgeon Fee
30% of total · $2,520-$4,680
$2,520-$4,680
Surgeon professional fee
Implants & Supplies
15% of total · $1,260-$2,340
$1,260-$2,340
Implants, hardware, surgical supplies
Post-Op Care
15% of total · $1,260-$2,340
$1,260-$2,340
Hospital stay, follow-up visits, imaging
Anesthesia
10% of total · $840-$1,560
$840-$1,560
Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee
Go Deeper
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Guides
Regional Variance
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Cost by State
Geographic location plays a significant role — cost-of-living adjustments, regional demand for top specialists, and facility competition all affect pricing.
Most Affordable
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi $10,620-11.5%
- West Virginia $10,776-10.2%
- Alabama $10,860-9.5%
- Arkansas $10,944-8.8%
- Missouri $11,016-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $13,968+16.4%
- California $13,596+13.3%
- New York $13,536+12.8%
- Massachusetts $13,380+11.5%
- District of Columbia $13,260+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Cost in All 50 States
Already seen the cheapest and most expensive? Expand the full sortable table to compare every state.
Show all 50 states (sortable) Hide all 50 states
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10,860 | -9.5% | |
|
|||
| Alaska | $13,044 | +8.7% | |
|
|||
| Arizona | $12,096 | +0.8% | |
|
|||
| Arkansas | $10,944 | -8.8% | |
|
|||
| California | $13,596 | +13.3% | |
|
|||
| Colorado | $12,624 | +5.2% | |
|
|||
| Connecticut | $13,176 | +9.8% | |
|
|||
| Delaware | $12,300 | +2.5% | |
|
|||
| District of Columbia | $13,260 | +10.5% | |
|
|||
| Florida | $12,036 | +0.3% | |
|
|||
| Georgia | $11,760 | -2.0% | |
|
|||
| Hawaii | $13,968 | +16.4% | |
|
|||
| Idaho | $11,664 | -2.8% | |
|
|||
| Illinois | $12,144 | +1.2% | |
|
|||
| Indiana | $11,496 | -4.2% | |
|
|||
| Iowa | $11,460 | -4.5% | |
|
|||
| Kansas | $11,376 | -5.2% | |
|
|||
| Kentucky | $11,076 | -7.7% | |
|
|||
| Louisiana | $11,184 | -6.8% | |
|
|||
| Maine | $12,456 | +3.8% | |
|
|||
| Maryland | $12,816 | +6.8% | |
|
|||
| Massachusetts | $13,380 | +11.5% | |
|
|||
| Michigan | $11,940 | -0.5% | |
|
|||
| Minnesota | $12,420 | +3.5% | |
|
|||
| Mississippi | $10,620 | -11.5% | |
|
|||
| Missouri | $11,016 | -8.2% | |
|
|||
| Montana | $11,700 | -2.5% | |
|
|||
| Nebraska | $11,580 | -3.5% | |
|
|||
| Nevada | $12,060 | +0.5% | |
|
|||
| New Hampshire | $12,660 | +5.5% | |
|
|||
| New Jersey | $13,140 | +9.5% | |
|
|||
| New Mexico | $11,256 | -6.2% | |
|
|||
| New York | $13,536 | +12.8% | |
|
|||
| North Carolina | $11,856 | -1.2% | |
|
|||
| North Dakota | $11,424 | -4.8% | |
|
|||
| Ohio | $11,796 | -1.7% | |
|
|||
| Oklahoma | $11,136 | -7.2% | |
|
|||
| Oregon | $12,900 | +7.5% | |
|
|||
| Pennsylvania | $12,216 | +1.8% | |
|
|||
| Rhode Island | $12,576 | +4.8% | |
|
|||
| South Carolina | $11,220 | -6.5% | |
|
|||
| South Dakota | $11,616 | -3.2% | |
|
|||
| Tennessee | $11,304 | -5.8% | |
|
|||
| Texas | $11,544 | -3.8% | |
|
|||
| Utah | $11,904 | -0.8% | |
|
|||
| Vermont | $12,540 | +4.5% | |
|
|||
| Virginia | $12,384 | +3.2% | |
|
|||
| Washington | $12,864 | +7.2% | |
|
|||
| West Virginia | $10,776 | -10.2% | |
|
|||
| Wisconsin | $11,976 | -0.2% | |
|
|||
| Wyoming | $11,340 | -5.5% | |
|
|||
Grounded Data
Real Hospital Charges (CMS Medicare Data)
Across 603 hospitals and surgery centers in the CMS Medicare data for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), average billed charges range from $16,162 to $376,963, with a national median of $76,663. The table below lists the highest-volume facilities by reported case count.
| Hospital | Location | Avg Billed Charge | Avg Medicare Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventhealth Orlando | Orlando, FL | $135,347 | $11,767 |
| Nyu Langone Hospitals | New York, NY | $196,981 | $20,666 |
| Methodist Hospital | Omaha, NE | $105,221 | $11,914 |
| Deaconess Hospital Inc | Evansville, IN | $51,069 | $11,444 |
| Riverside Methodist Hospital | Columbus, OH | $102,114 | $13,452 |
| Naples Community Hospital | Naples, FL | $83,835 | $12,279 |
| New York-Presbyterian Hospital | New York, NY | $136,048 | $20,579 |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Newport Beach, CA | $93,341 | $13,800 |
| Sarasota Memorial Hospital | Sarasota, FL | $103,777 | $12,250 |
| Christus Mother Frances Hospital | Tyler, TX | $130,658 | $11,768 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Los Angeles, CA | $376,963 | $24,563 |
| Beaumont Hospital, Troy | Troy, MI | $68,190 | $10,948 |
| Memorial Hermann Hospital System | Houston, TX | $101,151 | $14,356 |
| University Colo Health Memorial Hospital Central | Colorado Springs, CO | $112,940 | $13,309 |
| Southcoast Hospital Group, Inc | Fall River, MA | $58,431 | $15,145 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center | Rancho Mirage, CA | $118,194 | $15,332 |
| Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | $90,236 | $12,436 |
| Hca Florida North Florida Hospital | Gainesville, FL | $216,438 | $12,724 |
| Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital | Stuart, FL | $84,456 | $11,545 |
| Palos Community Hospital | Palos Heights, IL | $88,372 | $11,568 |
Billed charges are a hospital's list price and are typically far higher than what is actually paid. The Avg Medicare Payment column shows what Medicare actually reimbursed for the same procedure at that facility.
Source: CMS Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data (2023).
What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Laparoscopic vs. open — laparoscopic cholecystectomy is standard and costs less than open surgery
Emergency vs. elective — emergency gallbladder removal costs 2-3x more due to ER and urgent OR charges
Intraoperative cholangiogram — imaging the bile ducts during surgery adds to the procedure but is sometimes necessary
Timeline
The Road to Results
Recovery is an investment of time. Understanding the phases helps you plan downtime and set expectations.
Before your gallbladder removal, you'll have a consultation with your surgeon to discuss the procedure and your medical history. You’ll likely need blood tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take, as some may need to be stopped a week or two before surgery.
On the day of your cholecystectomy, you'll receive general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep during the 30–90 minute procedure. Most gallbladder removals are performed laparoscopically, using small incisions. After surgery, you’ll be monitored in a recovery room. Expect some pain and grogginess as the anesthesia wears off. You'll need someone to drive you home.
The first 24-48 hours involve managing pain with prescribed medication. Full recovery typically takes 1–3 weeks. You can usually return to light activities within a week, but strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks. Plan for time off work. You might experience some digestive changes initially, but this usually improves. Don't forget to schedule a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to monitor your progress.
01
Initial Recovery
7 days
Light activity, follow-up appointment. Most visible changes in this window.
02
Full Recovery
21 days
Return to normal activities, including most exercise and work routines.
03
Procedure Itself
30–90 min
Typical time under anesthesia or active treatment for a standard case.
Coverage & Financing
Paying for Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)
Usually Covered by InsuranceCovered by virtually all insurance plans as medically necessary for symptomatic gallstones or gallbladder disease.
Financing Options
- Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
- Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
- Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $12,000 through your HSA/FSA saves you 20-35% versus after-tax dollars
- Cash discounts — surgeons prefer upfront payment and often reduce the price by 10-20% for cash-pay patients
- Charitable care programs — some nonprofit surgical organizations offer reduced-cost procedures for qualifying patients
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) cost in 2026?
In 2026, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) costs $12,000 on average across the US. The typical range runs $5,000 to $20,000, with your final price shaped by geographic location, provider experience, and facility choice.
Does insurance cover gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)?
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) is usually covered by insurance. Covered by virtually all insurance plans as medically necessary for symptomatic gallstones or gallbladder disease. Pre-authorization letters from your insurer are the definitive source for your specific coverage.
What's the cheapest state for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)?
The most affordable states for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) are Mississippi ($10,620), West Virginia ($10,776), Alabama ($10,860). These states benefit from lower costs of living and regional price parities.
What affects gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) cost?
Your gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) cost depends on laparoscopic vs. open, emergency vs. elective, intraoperative cholangiogram. Beyond these procedure-specific factors, the state you're in can swing the price by 20-30% due to differences in cost of living and local competition among providers.
How long is recovery after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)?
Most patients need 7 to 21 days to fully recover from gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). Early recovery (days 1-7) focuses on rest and pain management. By day 21, most people are back to full activity. Budget for post-op medications and follow-up visits during this window.
Where is gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) most expensive?
You'll pay the most for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Hawaii ($13,968), California ($13,596), New York ($13,536). If you're in one of these states and cost is a concern, comparing quotes from lower-cost neighboring states could save you 15-25%.