In the U.S., uterus removal surgery usually totals $9,600–$24,000 uninsured, or about $5,000–$10,000 with typical insurance plans.
Sticker shock hits fast with gynecologic surgery. Prices swing by route, site of care, and insurance math. This guide lays out real-world ranges, the parts of the bill, and simple steps to reach a fair quote. You’ll see what drives costs, what you’ll likely pay out of pocket, and easy ways to trim the total without cutting care.
Uterus Removal Surgery Cost Breakdown
Hospitals and surgery centers package several charges into one number. Some bills list them line by line. Either way, the total is the sum of parts. The table below shows how those parts stack up in common cases.
| Cost Component | What It Includes | Typical Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Facility Fee | OR time, supplies, nursing, room/board if admitted | $4,000–$16,000 |
| Surgeon Fee | Primary surgeon’s professional charge | $1,200–$4,500 |
| Anesthesia | Anesthesiologist/CRNA time and drugs | $600–$2,200 |
| Assistant Surgeon | When a second surgeon assists | $300–$1,200 |
| Pathology | Lab review of removed tissue | $150–$600 |
| Imaging & Labs | Pre-op bloodwork, pregnancy test, EKG | $100–$600 |
| Robotic Add-On | Device time and instruments when a robot is used | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Inpatient Stay | Room/board beyond same-day discharge | $800–$2,500 per night |
| Medications | Pain meds, anti-nausea, stool softeners | $20–$200 |
*Ranges reflect consumer estimates and medical pricing tools; totals vary by route, region, and plan design.
What Drives The Price Range
Surgical Route
Three main routes exist: vaginal, laparoscopic (with or without a robot), and open abdominal. Vaginal and straight-laparoscopic routes tend to use smaller incisions, shorter OR time, and fewer supplies. Open cases use larger incisions and longer stays, so facility and anesthesia lines climb.
Outpatient Versus Inpatient
Same-day discharge trims room/board and staffing. When a stay is needed, per-night charges add up fast. Many minimally invasive cases qualify for ambulatory surgery centers, which often post lower totals than large hospitals.
Region And Network
Prices can double between nearby markets. In-network rates are negotiated and usually beat list prices. Out-of-network bills can be steep, and your plan may cover less of the total.
Case Complexity
Large uteri, scar tissue, prior surgery, or endometriosis can extend OR time. Extra time drives up facility and anesthesia costs. A switch from minimally invasive to open, while uncommon, also bumps the bill.
Robot Use
Robotic tools can add precision in select cases. They also add a device fee. Ask whether the expected outcome is the same without the robot in your situation.
With Insurance: What You’re Likely To Pay
The hospital may bill five figures, yet your share follows plan rules. Start with three numbers: deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. If the deductible isn’t met, you’ll pay allowed charges until it is. After that, coinsurance applies until you hit the yearly maximum. Once you reach the max, covered care is paid at 100% for the rest of the plan year.
Fast Math On A Common Plan
Say your deductible is $2,000, coinsurance is 20%, and the out-of-pocket cap is $7,500. If the allowed amount is $12,000, the first $2,000 meets the deductible; the next $10,000 splits 80/20, so you owe $2,000. Total $4,000. Any earlier spending this year lowers that first chunk.
Pre-Auth And Site Of Care
Many plans require pre-approval and may steer care to ambulatory surgery centers. That shift often lowers the allowed amount. Ask for both hospital and surgery-center quotes when the case fits.
Without Insurance: How To Control The Bill
Cash-pay shoppers still have leverage. Ask for a written global quote that includes facility, surgeon, and anesthesia. Request an itemized estimate using the CPT code the office plans to use. Prepay discounts are common. Many centers offer set-price bundles for straightforward cases.
Price Benchmarks From Trusted Sources
Claims-based tools publish localized ranges and help you sanity-check any quote. FAIR Health’s Medical Cost Lookup Tool shows estimates built from large national datasets. For route choices and plain-language definitions, ACOG’s patient FAQ on hysterectomy is a helpful reference for what the operation involves and typical recovery steps. Use both while you shop to frame questions and compare sites.
Typical Totals By Route And Setting
Nationally, consumer sources and claims tools often cite totals near $9,600–$24,000 without insurance, and about $5,000–$10,000 as the share when insured, depending on plan design and spend to date. Local quotes can sit below or above those bands. That’s why a written, itemized estimate matters.
Same-Day Settings
Vaginal or laparoscopic cases in ambulatory centers often land near the lower end of national ranges. Many patients go home a few hours after recovery room clearance, which trims room/board.
Hospital Settings
Open abdominal cases, or minimally invasive cases that need an overnight stay, sit near the middle to high end due to room/board and staffing.
Second Table: Sample Out-Of-Pocket Paths
Use this table to sketch what you might pay on common plan types. Swap in your plan’s numbers to get close.
| Plan Type | Your Share If Allowed Amount = $12,000 | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| HDHP | $5,400 | $3,000 deductible met at surgery; 20% coinsurance until $7,500 OOP max |
| PPO | $2,800 | $1,000 deductible remaining; 20% coinsurance; no referral needed |
| HMO | $2,000 | Low deductible; fixed 20% coinsurance; referral and pre-auth required |
Ways To Lower The Total
Ask For Two Quotes
Request a hospital quote and an ambulatory surgery center quote. Facility lines often differ sharply. Same surgeon, same case, different site can save thousands.
Check In-Network Status
Confirm that the surgeon, facility, and anesthesia group are all in network. Out-of-network anesthesia is a common surprise on otherwise in-network cases.
Bundle And Prepay
Many centers offer package pricing that folds surgeon, facility, and anesthesia into one line. Prepay discounts of 10–30% are common for cash-pay patients.
Skip Extras You Don’t Need
Single-use gadgets and add-on kits can raise supply charges. Ask if standard instruments work for your case. If the robot adds a fee with no clear benefit, ask about a non-robot route.
Use Price Tools
Pull a local estimate from FAIR Health and bring it to the scheduler when you request a written quote. If your employer offers Healthcare Bluebook access, log in and search for “Fair Price” facilities to avoid overpaying.
Hidden Costs To Plan For
Time Off Work
Desk roles may return in two to four weeks after minimally invasive routes. Physical jobs can take longer. Short-term disability can cushion lost wages if your employer offers it.
Home Help
Budget for child care, pet care, rides, and light house help during the first week. A little planning keeps recovery smooth and can prevent ER visits that add to the bill.
Supplies And Meds
Most pain plans use acetaminophen and NSAIDs, with a small opioid supply only if needed. Add stool softeners, a heating pad, and loose clothing to your list.
Quality And Safety Still Come First
Price means little if care is poor. Ask about case volume, complication rates, and conversion rates from minimally invasive to open. A board-certified surgeon with strong outcomes often shortens stay and cuts downstream costs.
Coding And Billing Basics
Quotes rely on CPT codes that describe the operation. Laparoscopic or vaginal routes use different codes than open abdominal routes. The code signals expected time, supplies, and complexity to the facility and your insurer. Ask the office to list the planned code on the estimate so your insurer can share the allowed amount for that site of care.
Risks That Can Add Cost
Unplanned events can change totals. Adhesions from prior surgery can extend OR time. Blood transfusion, while uncommon, adds supply and lab lines. A urinary tract injury or bowel injury may require repair, extra imaging, or a longer stay. These events are rare with experienced teams, yet they show why a small cushion in your budget helps.
Aftercare, Follow-Ups, And Meds
Most centers include one or two routine follow-ups in the surgeon fee. Ask if phone or video visits are available for quick checks. Over-the-counter meds often cover pain after the first few days. If your case includes oophorectomy, talk with your clinician about menopausal symptoms and medication options; some people add low-cost generic estradiol while others use non-drug strategies.
Questions To Ask Your Surgeon And Insurer
For The Surgeon
- Which route fits my uterus size, prior surgery, and goals?
- What is your conversion rate and typical OR time for cases like mine?
- Will a resident or PA assist, and is there a separate fee?
- Can this be done in an ambulatory center safely?
- What supplies or devices add fees that we can skip?
For The Insurer
- Is pre-auth required and for which codes?
- What is the allowed amount at the chosen site of care?
- How much of my deductible is left and what is my coinsurance?
- Are the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and pathology all in network?
- Does my plan cap out-of-pocket spend for this case?
Method Notes
Ranges in this guide synthesize consumer-facing cost tools and specialty guidance. Use FAIR Health’s estimator for ZIP-level numbers and ACOG’s patient FAQ for route details and recovery basics. Those two sources help you cross-check any quote and ask precise questions at your consult.
Quick Cost Scenarios
Scenario A, insured, outpatient: Allowed amount $10,500 at an ambulatory center; deductible already met; coinsurance 20%. Your share $2,100. A prepay plan may lower surgeon and anesthesia lines if the case is cash-pay instead.
Scenario B, insured, hospital overnight: Allowed amount $14,800 with one night inpatient; $1,500 of deductible left; 20% coinsurance; OOP max $6,500. You’d owe $1,500 + $2,660 = $4,160 unless you hit the cap earlier in the year.
Scenario C, uninsured, bundle price: Ambulatory center offering a global cash bundle of $9,900 covering facility, surgeon, anesthesia, and routine follow-up. Add $150–$300 for meds and supplies.
Bottom Line: Build Your Own Estimate
1) Pull a FAIR Health estimate for your ZIP. 2) Ask the office for the planned CPT code and a site-of-care option. 3) Get written quotes for facility, surgeon, anesthesia, and pathology. 4) Call your insurer for the allowed amount and your remaining deductible. 5) Add a small cushion for meds and an extra hour of OR time. With those steps, your plan moves from guesswork to a clear budget you can live with.