Key takeaways:
Fibroid removal can cost anywhere from $8,900 to over $24,000 without insurance.
The cost depends on the treatment type, the surgeon’s and facility’s fees, where you have the procedure, and any post-surgery care needed.
Most health insurance plans cover medically necessary fibroid removal procedures, but the specific types of treatments covered may vary between plans.
If you're one of the many women dealing with uterine fibroids, you likely realize the impact this condition can have on your quality of life. This is especially true for Black women, who are disproportionately affected by fibroids. Compared with other groups, Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to develop fibroids. Black women also tend to get fibroids at a younger age than white women.
But what you might not realize is the financial burden that often comes with treating fibroids. The cost of fibroid removal can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or outside of the uterus. The medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma or myoma. Fibroids can range in size from very small, about the size of a pea, to as big as a grapefruit. More commonly, they are about the size of a softball or golf ball, Dawn Ericsson, MD, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and medical director at ageRejuvenation, told GoodRx Health.
You may have fibroids and not notice any symptoms. But some women with fibroids can have heavy and painful menstrual periods, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. They can also experience pain during sex or trouble getting pregnant.
How much does fibroid removal cost?
The cost of fibroid removal varies widely — from $8,900 to $24,000 and sometimes more. This wide range depends on many factors, including the type of procedure, healthcare professional, facility used, and region of the country. Additionally, whether you have health insurance makes a big difference in your out-of-pocket costs for fibroid removal, Ericsson said.
Below are some of the available fibroid treatment options. The type of procedure you have will influence the cost:
Myomectomy: Myomectomy involves cutting out the fibroids while leaving the uterus (womb) intact. People who undergo a myomectomy can still get pregnant and have children.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus. Once you have a hysterectomy, your menstrual periods stop, and you can’t get pregnant.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) or uterine artery embolization (UAE): In these procedures, an interventional radiologist inserts tiny beads to cut off the fibroids’ blood supply. Over time, the fibroids will shrink, Ericsson said.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Radio waves or heat are used to destroy the fibroids, causing them to shrink in size.
Without insurance, a UAE could cost between $10,000 and $15,000, while RFA might range from $8,900 to $20,000, Ericsson said. With insurance, the cost of a hysterectomy ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. But without insurance, the same surgery might cost anywhere from $9,600 to $24,000, she said. A myomectomy could cost between $11,000 and $22,000 with no insurance coverage.
Your gynecologist will generally make treatment recommendations based on where your fibroids are located. For example, fibroids within the muscle layer of the uterus may require different removal approaches compared with fibroids on the outer surface of the uterus, Ericsson said.
In addition to the higher prevalence of fibroids in Black women in the U.S., there are also disparities in treatment options offered. Black women are more likely to undergo hysterectomies or procedures with more invasive techniques or larger incisions, Aldene Zeno, MD, a board-certified urogynecologist and owner of Essence Health and Urogynecology in Los Angeles, California, told GoodRx Health. She said this may in part be because Black women often have large fibroids, and they may not be good candidates for less invasive procedures.
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What factors affect the cost of fibroid removal?
Tests to confirm the diagnosis, the procedure itself, and care afterward can all affect the cost of fibroid removal. Let’s walk you through these factors:
Diagnostic testing: Healthcare professionals use a combination of tests to confirm a fibroid diagnosis or track the fibroids’ growth over time. In addition to an ultrasound, your gynecologist may do a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan to get a better view of the size and position of the fibroids.
Office visits: Visiting a gynecologist for consultations and followups is part of getting fibroids removed. Each appointment may come with a fee.
Type of procedure: The complexity of the fibroid removal procedure, whether you need to stay in the hospital overnight, and the equipment used add to the overall cost.
Geographic location:, A laparoscopic hysterectomy in Cleveland, Ohio, may cost about $28,000 without insurance. The same procedure could cost nearly $19,000 in Atlanta, Georgia, if you don’t have insurance.
Where you have the procedure: You may pay more if the procedure is done in a hospital outpatient facility versus an ambulatory surgery center. A hysterectomy requiring an inpatient stay will generally cost more.
Healthcare professionals’ fees: Surgeons’ fees vary based on their specialization, years in practice, demand, and more. In addition to the surgeon, other healthcare professionals, such as an anesthesiologist, radiologist, and pathologist, are usually involved. Each provider charges different rates, which contribute to the total cost.
Size and number of fibroids: The larger or more numerous the fibroids, the more complex the procedure may become, Ericsson said, potentially increasing the technical difficulty and time needed in the operating room. This is especially true if the fibroids are in areas where the surgeon must take more care to remove them, such as if they’re attached to the bowel or bladder or are close to major blood vessels. These factors may require a more invasive surgical approach, which can drive up costs, she said.
Post-procedure care: You may need to buy medications to manage pain after your procedure. In some cases, complications may arise post-procedure. This may require additional medical appointments, which may mean added costs.
Talk to your healthcare team upfront about estimated costs. They can explain what's covered and if less costly alternatives exist. If you’re paying out of pocket without using insurance, you can ask for a good faith estimate (GFE), which lists the approximate expected fees.
You can request a GFE at least 3 business days before your scheduled fibroid removal procedure. And you can dispute final bills later if the actual charges exceed the GFE total by at least $400.
Does insurance cover fibroid removal surgery?
Most insurance plans cover fibroid removal procedures if they are causing symptoms. But, the specific procedures covered can vary between health plans.
Certain types of fibroid removal procedures may require a prior authorization. This means your healthcare professional must get approval from the insurance company before scheduling the procedure. An approval confirms that the procedure is medically necessary based on your specific case.
Another factor that affects insurance coverage is whether you use in-network or out-of-network services. Some health plans may only cover fibroid removal procedures if you receive care within their approved network of healthcare professionals and facilities.
What can you do about fibroids?
Experts are not sure what exactly causes fibroids or why they are more common in Black women. They think it might be due in part to genetics and hormones.
When it comes to hormones and toxins, Ericsson said, estrogen makes fibroid cells grow, while progesterone keeps that growth in check. The two hormones usually balance each other out. However, when there is an excessive amount of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body, this balance can be thrown off, Ericsson said. “Keep exposure to toxins to a minimum,” she recommended.
But, research also suggests that the higher rates of fibroid complications in Black women may be linked to environmental exposures and unequal access to quality healthcare. This includes not having enough skilled gynecologic surgeons available. Discrimination and bias within the healthcare system likely play a role, too.
If you’re considering fibroid treatment options, find a healthcare professional who will take the time to discuss all your treatment options, Zeno said. You should have a clear understanding when making decisions about your care. If you don't understand something, keep asking questions until it's explained in a way that makes sense to you.
Ask about surgical and non-surgical treatments, the potential benefits and risks of each, expected recovery time, and impact on future pregnancy if that is a goal. Be open about what matters most to you.
The bottom line
The cost of fibroid removal varies widely based on the type of procedure and other factors. The good news is that health insurance usually covers fibroid removal when medically necessary. But you may still have out-of-pocket costs.
Why trust our experts?
References
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Ultrasound exams.
Berman, J. M., et al. (2022). Uterine fibroids in Black women: A race-stratified subgroup analysis of treatment outcomes after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Journal of Women's Health.
Brooks, E., et al. (2020). The INSPIRE comparative cost study: 12-month health economic and clinical outcomes associated with hysterectomy, myomectomy, and treatment with the Sonata system. ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Know your rights when you aren't using health insurance.
Katon, J. G., et al. (2023). Racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis: A systematic review and application of social, structural, and political context. Fertility and Sterility.
Lee, B. B., et al. (2016). Radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids: A review. Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Laparoscopy, surgical, ablation of uterine fibroid(s) including intraoperative ultrasound guidance and monitoring, radiofrequency.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). Uterine fibroids.
