Gallbladder removal costs $6,000 to $16,000 per surgery in 2026
Gallbladder removal costs $6,000 to $16,000 per surgery in 2026 if you pay on your own. CareRoute gives that range for the common keyhole surgery. MyCareCost says the average cash price is $8,460 across 1,356 hospitals. MDsave lists $6,767 to $15,697. Where you have it done matters most. With insurance, CareRoute says most people pay $1,500 to $6,500 out of pocket.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| CareRoute | CareRoute says gallbladder removal costs $6,000 to $16,000 without insurance and $1,500 to $6,500 out of pocket with insurance. |
| MDsave | MDsave lists laparoscopic gallbladder removal at $6,767 to $15,697, and open surgery at $12,858 to $19,543. |
| MyCareCost | MyCareCost lists an average cash price of $8,460 and an average list price of $14,960 across 1,356 hospitals. |
Gallbladder removal cost by setting
| Setting | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery center, cash bundle | $6,767 to $13,000 | CareRoute |
| Hospital outpatient | $9,000 to $18,000 | CareRoute |
| Hospital stay of one night or more | $12,000 to $25,000 | CareRoute |
| Keyhole (laparoscopic) bundle | $6,767 to $15,697 | MDsave |
| Open surgery bundle | $12,858 to $19,543 | MDsave |
| Average cash price | $8,460 | MyCareCost |
| Average list price | $14,960 | MyCareCost |
| With insurance, out of pocket | $1,500 to $6,500 | CareRoute |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Where it is done | A surgery center costs less than a hospital. CareRoute lists $6,767 to $13,000 at a surgery center and $9,000 to $18,000 at a hospital outpatient unit. |
| Overnight stay | If you must stay in the hospital, the bill grows. CareRoute lists $12,000 to $25,000 for a stay of one night or more. |
| Type of surgery | Open surgery costs more than keyhole surgery. MDsave lists $6,767 to $15,697 for keyhole and $12,858 to $19,543 for open surgery. |
| Insurance plan | Your deductible and coinsurance set what you pay. CareRoute says most insured people pay $1,500 to $6,500 out of pocket for the surgery. |
| Cash price or list price | Hospitals often give self pay patients a lower price. MyCareCost lists an average cash price of $8,460 and an average list price of $14,960. |
What the price includes
A surgery price often covers the surgeon, the facility, and anesthesia, but bills can come in pieces. Tests such as an ultrasound, lab work, and visits before surgery may cost extra. Pain medicine, follow up visits, and any problems after surgery can add to the total. Ask whether the quote is one bundled price. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Most health plans cover gallbladder removal when a doctor says it is needed. You still pay your deductible, copay, or coinsurance. CareRoute says most insured people pay $1,500 to $6,500 out of pocket. It lists Medicare copays of about $650 at a surgery center and about $1,450 at a hospital outpatient unit. Ask your plan if the surgeon, the facility, and the anesthesia doctor are all in network, because one out of network bill can add a lot. Get approval from your plan before the date if it asks for it.
When a doctor orders it
A doctor may order surgery when gallstones cause repeat pain, infection, or swelling of the gallbladder. Tests such as an ultrasound can show the stones. Some people watch and wait if the stones cause no pain. Ask the doctor what happens if you wait, how soon surgery should happen, and if a surgery center is safe for you.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote say keyhole or open surgery?
- Does it include the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees?
- Is this the self pay price or the list price?
- Does it cover follow up visits and any overnight stay?
- Compare the total with the range above: $6,000 to $16,000 per surgery for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the self pay price. MyCareCost says average cash prices are 43% below list prices, so ask for the cash rate before you agree.
- Choose a surgery center when your doctor says it is safe. CareRoute lists a surgery center range that starts at $6,767, below the hospital outpatient range.
- Look at bundled price sites. MDsave lists keyhole removal from $6,767, and a bundle can include the facility and the surgeon in one price.
- Ask for a written estimate that names every bill, including the surgeon, anesthesia, and the facility, so you can compare places fairly.
- Check your plan network first. In network surgeons and facilities cost less, and your out of pocket share is lower.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from CareRoute, MDsave and MyCareCost. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does gallbladder removal cost without insurance?
CareRoute says $6,000 to $16,000. MyCareCost lists an average cash price of $8,460. MDsave lists $6,767 to $15,697 for keyhole surgery.
How much will I pay with insurance?
CareRoute says most people pay $1,500 to $6,500 out of pocket. It lists Medicare copays of about $650 at a surgery center and about $1,450 at a hospital outpatient unit.
Is open surgery more costly than keyhole?
Yes. MDsave lists $12,858 to $19,543 for open surgery and $6,767 to $15,697 for keyhole surgery.
Is a surgery center cheaper than a hospital?
On these lists, yes. CareRoute lists $6,767 to $13,000 at a surgery center and $9,000 to $18,000 at a hospital outpatient unit.
Why is the list price higher than the cash price?
Hospitals post a list price, but many give self pay patients a lower rate. MyCareCost says the $8,460 average cash price is 43% below the $14,960 average list price.