2026 Forecast Verified

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Cost in Washington (2026)

Above-average costs · 7.2% over the US mean · WA

Washington Average
$12,864
▲ +7.2% above national
Typical Range
$5,360 – $21,440
National avg: $12,000
Editorial view of Washington
Regional Pricing Confidence
94% Confidence Index
The Washington Market

What Drives Pricing Here

Three factors explain most of why gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) costs what it does in Washington.

Regional Price Parity

Washington's cost-of-living index sits at 107.2 — above the national benchmark (100). This directly scales facility and staffing overhead, which flow through to every procedure price.

Specialist Availability

16 facilities perform this procedure in Washington — competition keeps pricing honest and gives you real leverage to shop quotes.

Vs. National Benchmark

At +7.2% above the national average ($12,000), Washington sits in premium territory. Likely drivers: high demand, metro concentration, or tier-one facility networks.

State Context

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) in Washington: What to Know

Considering gallbladder removal in Washington? Facilities like Valley Medical Center in Renton offer single-site laparoscopic procedures, minimizing scarring with an incision hidden in the belly button. EvergreenHealth was a pioneer, being the first in the nation to use the da Vinci® robot for gallbladder removal, enabling minimally invasive surgery even for complex cases. Kadlec Clinic in Richland also provides both laparoscopic and advanced robotic techniques, aiming for faster recovery.

To potentially reduce costs, explore Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) if available for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as they often have lower operating expenses than hospitals. For example, Pacific Surgery Center in Poulsbo provides patient travel information, including local hotel discounts, suggesting it may be a cost-effective option for those willing to travel. Verify current pricing directly with providers.

Itemized Breakdown

Estimated Cost Breakdown in Washington

Washington runs somewhat above the national average for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). Here's where the extra cost comes from.

Facility Fee

OR time and hospital staffing

$2,701 - $5,017

Most significant cost

Surgeon Fee

Expertise and experience level

$2,701 - $5,017

Implants & Supplies

$1,351 - $2,508

Post-Op Care

Recovery and aftercare

$1,351 - $2,508

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee

$900 - $1,672

Total Estimated Cost

Washington all-in range

$5,360 – $21,440

Financing Options

Many Washington clinics partner with CareCredit or Alphaeon. A typical 24-month, 0% APR term on $12,864 looks like:

$536/mo
Est. 24 months · 0% APR promo
  • Soft credit check — no hard pull
  • Instant approval decisions
  • HSA/FSA eligible for qualifying cases

Cost estimates are adjusted for regional pricing. See how we calculate state-level costs →

Ranges adjusted for Washington's regional price parity (107.2). See the national percentage breakdown →

Hospital-Level Data

Facility Costs in Washington

Below are the top facilities performing gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Washington, ranked by volume. Rates shown are negotiated amounts from CMS Medicare data.

Facility City Negotiated Rate Medicare Volume
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital Tacoma $15,660 $12,119 28
Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center Bellingham $17,826 $12,829 25
Providence St Peter Hospital Olympia $14,927 $10,914 20
Overlake Hospital Medical Center Bellevue $13,843 $10,905 20
Confluence Health Hospital Wenatchee $12,963 $11,430 17
Swedish Medical Center Seattle $16,936 $13,329 17
Multicare Good Samaritan Hospital Puyallup $14,675 $11,106 15
Peacehealth Southwest Medical Cente Vancouver $14,504 $12,855 14
Virginia Mason Medical Center Seattle $16,146 $13,777 13
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett Everett $18,408 $9,537 13
Regional Comparison

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) Cost in Nearby States

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy) pricing varies across the region. Here's how Washington stacks up against its neighbors.

Common Questions

Expert Answers for Washington Patients

Local regulations, insurance nuance, and surgical standards specific to Washington.

Compare Washington with any other state

See national pricing, all 50 state comparisons, and detailed cost factors in the main gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) cost guide.

View full gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) guide
What should I expect to pay for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Washington?
The average cost of gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Washington is $12,864. Prices typically range from $5,360 to $21,440, depending on the facility, provider, and your specific case.
Will my health insurance pay for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)?
Insurance typically picks up most of the tab for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) when it's medically indicated. In Washington, confirm your surgeon is in-network and get pre-authorization before scheduling to avoid surprise bills.
What's the recovery time for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)?
The recovery timeline for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is 7 to 21 days. Here's the general pattern: days 1-7 involve significant rest, days 7-21 are a gradual return to activity. Washington patients should also budget for post-op care costs — follow-up visits, pain management, and any required imaging or lab work.
How can I finance gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Washington?
Financing gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in Washington is straightforward. Options include medical credit lines (CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit), your surgeon's in-house installment plan, or HSA/FSA dollars if the procedure has a medical component. Always compare the total cost with interest against a cash-pay discount.
What should I look for in a Washington gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) provider?
Compare facilities on volume (higher volume correlates with better outcomes), accreditation status, and the negotiated rate vs. what you'd pay out of pocket. In Washington, check whether an outpatient surgery center can perform your gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) — ASCs typically charge 30-50% less than hospitals for the same procedure.
Can I save by getting gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in a neighboring state?
Crossing into Idaho could save you $1,200 on gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). That's $11,664 vs. Washington's $12,864. The key logistics to sort out: does your insurance cover Idaho providers, and can your Washington doctor handle follow-up care after the procedure?
Is gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) covered under Washington's Medicaid program?
If gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is deemed medically necessary, Washington's Medicaid program may cover it partially or fully. You'll need your doctor to submit documentation to your plan. Elective cases without a medical justification are generally not covered.
Data Sources & References

How we calculate gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) costs in Washington

Cost estimates combine procedure-specific pricing data with regional cost-of-living and provider-supply adjustments. Primary sources:

  • Hospital pricing transparency files — CMS-required machine-readable data published by hospitals under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule (effective January 2021). Provides actual negotiated rates between hospitals and insurers.
  • HCUP (Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project)AHRQ's HCUP databases provide nationally-representative procedure cost data by state, payer, and patient demographics.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics — Healthcare Practitioner Occupational WagesBLS OEWS data on surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical staff wages by state, used to model regional labor-cost differences in procedure pricing.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP)U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis state-level price-level indices, used to adjust national procedure averages for Washington's cost-of-living relative to the national mean.
  • FAIR Health Consumer Cost Lookup — the FAIR Health database aggregates billed and allowed amounts from over 36 billion claim records, providing a check on procedure-cost ranges by ZIP code.
  • Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment DataCMS public-use files on Medicare-allowed amounts and submitted charges by HCPCS/CPT code and state, used as a baseline for procedure-cost ranges.

Estimates are illustrative and reflect typical pricing ranges; actual costs depend on insurance coverage, surgical complexity, anesthesia type, hospital vs. ambulatory setting, and individual patient factors. Always confirm pricing directly with providers and your insurance carrier. See our methodology page for full calculation details.

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