How Much Does a Colonoscopy Cost?

A screening colonoscopy is one option for colon cancer screening. A diagnostic colonoscopy can help diagnose colon cancer and precancerous polyps as well as other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society both recommend colon cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75. That screening can be done via a colonoscopy.

Here’s how much a colonoscopy can cost and whether insurance will cover it.

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure performed by a gastrointestinal specialist, who inserts a flexible camera into the anus to look at the large intestine. For comfort, this is typically done while you are sedated.

The doctor will look for signs of cancer in the colon as well as tumors or abnormal growths in the colon called polyps. During a colonoscopy, you may have polyps removed. You could also have a biopsy, which is when parts of the intestinal lining that appear abnormal are removed.

What is the cost of a typical colonoscopy?

The average cost of a colonoscopy in the U.S. is $2,750, according to CareCredit. But the procedure can range from $1,250 to $4,800 or more.

New Health Choice reports the same national average, but notes an average price difference depending on the setting for the colonoscopy:

• Outpatient facility: $2,550

• Inpatient facility: $4,350

These prices are much higher than the colonoscopy costs listed in the table below. That’s because commercial health insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid negotiate discounted rates for services — also known as allowed costs or allowable costs.

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• What to expect: Colonoscopies may seem uncomfortable — but they help safeguard your future health. Read about three people’s experiences with the procedure.

• At-home testing: Home tests for colon cancer screening are more convenient than a colonoscopy, but there are some drawbacks. Find out how they work and if they could be a good option for you. 

• Prepping for the procedure: Here, experts explain what’s involved in a colonoscopy. Read their tips on how to prepare.

It’s important to note that If you have a private health insurance plan or Medicare, a colonoscopy screening is covered with no out-of-pocket costs as a preventive health service under the Affordable Care Act. A diagnostic colonoscopy is not considered preventive and can trigger your deductible, copays, and coinsurance.

Where you have your colonoscopy, whether it’s a screening or diagnostic, and how it’s billed can all factor into how much you pay without insurance. 

According to a procedure billing analysis for common procedures published in September 2023 by Blue Health Intelligence, colonoscopies are typically performed in one of these settings:

• Ambulatory surgery center (ASC)

• Hospital outpatient department

• Physician’s office

The research, which reviewed bills for colonoscopies from 2017 to 2022, found that allowed costs paid by commercial insurance plans were highest for hospital outpatient departments and lowest for physician’s offices. (You may be responsible for a portion of these costs. But typically, you would only have cost-sharing for a diagnostic colonoscopy.)

Here’s the 2022 comparison of allowed costs paid by insurance plans, by colonoscopy types and setting.

Average allowed costs for covered procedures

And, when hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers unbundled colonoscopy services — charging separately for anesthesia and IV fluids — the bills were even higher.

Can I find out the expected cost of the colonoscopy in advance?

Yes, if you’re not using insurance. If you are uninsured or have insurance but intend to self-pay for your colonoscopy, you can ask for a good faith estimate (GFE) before the procedure. You have the right to dispute the bill if it’s at least $400 more than the GFE.

If you have health insurance, you should ask if you will need prior authorization for your colonoscopy to be covered. Depending on what happens during the procedure, you could be billed for a diagnostic colonoscopy — which would trigger out-of-pocket costs because it’s no longer a screening and not considered preventive care for adults.

Does insurance cover colonoscopies?

Yes. Most insurance plans cover colonoscopy and, as mentioned earlier, you typically pay nothing out of pocket if the procedure is a screening. Here’s more about how your insurance covers colonoscopy:

• Medicare: Medicare covers screening colonoscopies every 24 months for people at high risk for colon cancer. If you are not at high risk, a screening colonoscopy is covered every 10 years or every 4 years after a previous flexible sigmoidoscopy (a procedure that checks your rectum and the lower part of your colon or large intestine). There is no minimum age requirement. If your doctor finds a polyp or removes any tissue, your colonoscopy is now diagnostic and you will have to pay 15% of the Medicare-approved amount. In a hospital outpatient setting or ASC, you will pay 15% coinsurance, but the Part A deductible doesn’t apply. 

• Medicaid: Medicaid programs are authorized to cover colorectal screenings, but benefits vary. Unlike Medicare, your state or territory may not cover colonoscopies for people who do not have colon cancer symptoms. Check with your Medicaid program to find out if your colonoscopy will be covered. 

• Private health plans: Most commercial health plans cover a colonoscopy screening with no out-of-pocket costs. A diagnostic colonoscopy is not considered preventive and can trigger your deductible, copays, and coinsurance.

• Tricare: A colonoscopy is covered every 10 years beginning at age 45 for people at average risk for colon cancer. The procedure is covered more frequently and at age 25 or younger for people with a family history of certain types of colon cancer. 

Are there potential follow-up costs after a colonoscopy?

Yes. You may need follow-up care depending on the results of your colonoscopy — particularly if you end up with a cancer diagnosis.

Review your health plan to understand what your insurance covers and your potential out-of-pocket costs. If you are uninsured, work with your care team to find out about financial assistance programs and other ways to reduce your costs.

What resources are available for free or low-cost colonoscopies?

If you don’t have insurance or you are underinsured, there may be free or low-cost colonoscopies available in your area.

Reach out to your state or local health department or a federally qualified health center. Hospitals, cancer centers, and clinics near you may have free cancer screening events. Organizations such as the Colorectal Cancer Alliance can help you find an affordable colonoscopy.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sana Khan MBA, MPH

Sana Khan, MBA, MPH, has over 10 years of experience in the healthcare and finance industry in different capacities. In the past, she's held roles as a consultant and analyst, acting as the latter for a large hospital system in Ohio.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George, MPH, is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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