How Much Does Lithotripsy Cost?

Shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for a kidney stone is billed at roughly $10,000 to $20,000, covering the facility, the urologist, and anesthesia. A self-pay or cash price is often much lower, and the procedure is billed less at an ambulatory surgery center than at a hospital. With insurance you owe your deductible and coinsurance up to your out-of-pocket maximum, not the full billed amount.

A hospital adds a facility fee that an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) does not, so the identical outpatient procedure is commonly billed far less at an ASC. If your urologist can perform the lithotripsy at a surgery center and it is clinically appropriate, it usually lowers both the total charge and your share.

Yes. Lithotripsy for a symptomatic kidney stone is medically necessary and covered by essentially all insurance, including Medicare. You owe your deductible and coinsurance up to your yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Confirm the facility and urologist are in-network, and that any prior authorization is in place, before the procedure.

Shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) breaks the stone from outside the body with sound waves and is usually the less invasive option. Ureteroscopy passes a scope up to the stone and breaks or removes it directly, often with a temporary stent afterward. Which is used depends on the stone's size, location, and composition. See our ureteroscopy cost guide for that option.

Have it done at an ambulatory surgery center rather than a hospital, confirm the facility and urologist are in-network, and ask for an itemized cost estimate up front. If you are uninsured, ask for the self-pay or cash price. If a bill looks inflated or a claim was denied, have it reviewed. CareRoute Bill Defense reviews and negotiates these bills with no fee unless we save you money.