How Much Does a Hernia Repair Surgery Cost?
Key takeaways:
Hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries in the U.S. There are many types of hernias, but most develop in the groin or abdomen.
The average cost of hernia repair surgery without insurance ranges from $4,000 to $11,000 or higher. Certain hernia fixes can cost much more.
The cost of your hernia repair surgery will depend on what kind of procedure you need, the facility where it’s conducted, and whether you have insurance.
Table of contents
Hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries in the U.S., with more than 1 million procedures performed annually. About 800,000 of those are inguinal hernia repair, which occurs in the groin.
Without insurance, the average cost of hernia repair surgery ranges from $4,000 to $11,000, according to CareCredit, a medical credit card company. Depending on the complexity of the repair and technique used, the cost can increase to $20,000 or more.
The price can also vary based on the location of the surgery. An outpatient procedure in an ambulatory surgery center is typically less than surgery in a hospital.
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Another factor is the technology used for the surgery, which can include open, laparoscopic (minimally invasive), or robotic repair. Having an emergency surgery can also greatly increase the cost.
What is hernia repair surgery?
Hernia repair surgery involves repairing a weak area so that fat, intestines, and other tissue can’t push through. Often, the hernia is repaired with mesh, which reinforces weakened or damaged tissue.
Most hernias need to be repaired, but some need surgery more urgently than others. Your doctor can discuss how soon you need surgical intervention for your specific hernia.
What are the different types of hernias?
There are many types of hernias including:
Epigastric: Soft tissue or part of your intestines pushes through the muscles in the upper abdomen.
Femoral: Intestines push through the femoral canal, which is between the abdomen and upper thigh.
Hiatal: There is a hole in the center of the diaphragm that allows the esophagus to pass through and connect to the stomach. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach pushes through this hole. You cannot see these types of hernias.
Incisional: These hernias develop at the site of a previous surgery.
Inguinal: Part of the intestines pushes through the inguinal canal, located in the groin.
Umbilical: The inner parts of the abdomen or intestines bulge through the muscle that surrounds the umbilicus, also known as the belly button.
How much does a hernia repair surgery cost?
The average cost of hernia repair surgery ranges from $4,000 to $11,000 without insurance. It’s important to note that having emergency hernia repair surgery can greatly increase the cost.
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According to MDsave — a price-shopping tool for uninsured people and people with high-deductible health plans — the estimated national average for a hernia repair is $14,397, though you can pay around $9,000 with MDsave providers.
A laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair is more costly. According to MDsave, the estimated national average for this procedure is nearly $33,000, though you can pay about half of that — around $16,500 — with MDsave providers.
Where you have the procedure significantly affects the cost. For example, the price before insurance pays for laparoscopic repair of an initial inguinal hernia nearly doubles for Medicare patients when the procedure is performed in a hospital versus an ambulatory surgery center. The patient’s 20% out-of-pocket coinsurance is also almost twice as much, as well.
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Another factor is the technology used for the surgery. According to a study published in 2022 looking at inguinal hernia repairs performed in Florida hospitals, robotic surgeries cost at least $1,000 more than laparoscopic repairs and about $3,000 more than open repairs.
Some surgeons offer bundled, all-inclusive prices, such as $8,000 for several types of hernia repair surgeries at a Miami surgical center.
Does insurance cover hernia repair surgery?
Yes. If you have private insurance, Medicare, a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, Medicaid, or Tricare, your hernia repair is typically covered with some out-of-pocket costs.
Here is a comparison of an original Medicare enrollee’s out-of-pocket costs depending on the type of facility where the hernia repair is performed.
Laparoscopic repair of an initial inguinal hernia: Original Medicare price comparison
Ambulatory surgery centers | Hospital outpatient departments | |
|---|---|---|
Total cost | $2,938 | $5,652 |
Doctor fee | $ 440 | $ 440 |
Facility fee | $2,498 | $5,212 |
Who pays? | Estimates | Estimates |
Medicare pays | $2,350 | $4,521 |
Patient pays | $ 587 | $1,130 |
Source: Medicare.gov
What are the additional costs of hernia repair surgery?
Whether you have insurance or not, you may have other costs associated with your surgery and recovery, including:
Prescriptions such as pain medications, which may cost you less if you use GoodRx
Anesthesia, if this service isn’t bundled into your price
Lost income from time off from work
Transportation to and from appointments
Child care
How long does hernia repair surgery last?
Most hernia repairs do not require another surgery. But hernia recurrence (in which the hernia returns or pushes through another weakened part of your abdomen) happens in about 30% of repaired hernias.
Using surgical mesh and having an experienced surgeon can increase your chance of a lasting hernia fix.
What are the risks of hernia repair surgery?
Hernia repair is typically considered safe, but there are risks of complications. They include:
Infection
Excessive bleeding
Blood clots
Injury to intestine, testicles, or other areas
Need for another surgery
Is hernia repair surgery worth it?
Some people with hernias have no symptoms. Even so, most hernias need to be repaired sooner than later to prevent more serious health complications such as strangulation, which is when a loop of the intestine or some tissue is trapped inside the hernia and cut off from its blood supply.
Surgery can prevent these serious complications. According to the FDA, 30% to 65% of hernias will need scheduled surgery and 3% to 5% will require emergency surgery. If your hernia is causing pain, you may need surgery urgently.
The bottom line
Hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries in the U.S., with over 1 million procedures performed annually. The vast majority of them address inguinal hernias in the groin.
The average cost of hernia repair surgery without insurance is $4,000 to $11,000, though more complex procedures can exceed $20,000.
Most insurance plans cover hernia surgery. Your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on whether you have insurance, the facility where the surgery is performed, and whether the repair is an emergency.
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References
American College of Surgeons. (2022). Inguinal and femoral groin hernia repair.
American Society of Anesthesiologists. (n.d.). Hernia surgery.
Harston, T. (2023). Hernia recurrence: Why does it happen and how to prevent it. Baylor College of Medicine.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2023). Hernia repair. Harvard Medical School.
Kaiser Permanente. (2023). Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait?
MDsave. (n.d.). Hernia repair.
MDsave. (n.d.). Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Laparoscopy, surgical; repair initial inguinal hernia: Code 49650.
Miami Hernia Center. (n.d.). All inclusive hernia surgery: For patients with no insurance or high deductibles.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Inguinal hernia.
Read, M. D., et al. (2023). Analysis of temporal trends in robotic surgery costs using the outpatient inguinal hernia repair model. Surgery.
ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Inguinal hernia. A Comprehensive Guide to Sports Physiology and Injury Management, 2020.
University of California San Francisco. (n.d.). Recurrent hernia.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. (n.d.). Hernia surgery benefits, risks, and what to expect.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Surgical mesh used for hernia repair.
Vanvuren, C. (2022). How much does hernia repair surgery cost? New Choice Health.
Well U. (n.d.). How much does hernia repair surgery cost? CareCredit.
