How Much Does Ureteroscopy Cost?

Ureteroscopy with laser (to break and remove a kidney stone) is billed at roughly $10,000 to $20,000, covering the facility, the urologist, anesthesia, and often a temporary stent. A self-pay or cash price is usually lower, and an ambulatory surgery center is billed less than a hospital. With insurance you owe your deductible and coinsurance up to your out-of-pocket maximum, not the full billed amount.

Often yes. A temporary ureteral stent is commonly placed after ureteroscopy and removed at a follow-up visit a week or two later. That stent removal is usually a separate, smaller charge (frequently $300 to $1,500). Ask up front whether a stent will be placed and what the removal will cost, so it is not a surprise line on a later bill.

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

Yes. Ureteroscopy 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, urologist, and anesthesiologist are in-network and that any prior authorization is in place before the procedure.

Have it done at an ambulatory surgery center rather than a hospital, confirm everyone involved is in-network, and ask up front about the stent and its removal cost. 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.