How Much Does Esophagotomy with Foreign Body Removal (Cervical Approach) Cost?
This surgical procedure involves making an incision in the esophagus through the neck to retrieve a foreign object lodged within it. It is performed when a swallowed object cannot be removed by less invasive methods.
π‘ The doctor's Medicare fee is $555 β that's what the physician receives. Hospital/facility charges are separate.
What does Esophagus Foreign Body Removal cost where you live?
Prices vary by location. Pick your city to see local hospital prices.
Why do some cities cost 3β4Γ more than others?
Most of the difference is hospital pricing, not the medicine. The procedure itself is essentially the same everywhere β what changes is what the facility charges:
- Hospitals set their own prices. There's no national price for a procedure, so two hospitals β even in the same city β can charge wildly different amounts for identical care.
- Local costs differ. Wages, rent, and malpractice insurance are far higher in big metros (e.g. San Francisco, New York) than in smaller cities. Medicare adjusts the doctor's fee for this, but only modestly; hospital charges swing much more.
- Competition matters. In areas with few hospitals or one dominant health system, prices tend to run higher. Competitive markets push them down.
- Insurer contracts vary by region, which moves both the negotiated and cash prices.
π‘ Because the difference is mostly pricing power β not quality β it's worth comparing hospitals and asking for the cash/self-pay rate, which is often far below the list price.
Hospitals in
| Hospital | Median price | Range |
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Prices from the Hospital Price Transparency Act. Median = middle price across insurers at that hospital.
Common Questions
How much does Esophagus Foreign Body Removal cost?
Does Medicare cover Esophagus Foreign Body Removal?
How much does it cost without insurance?
Why is the price so different between hospitals?
Why does Esophagus Foreign Body Removal cost so much more in some cities than others?
What should I ask before scheduling?
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