Price Checker / CPT 43196
How much does Esophagoscp Guide Wire Dilat cost?
CPT 43196 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 34x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$260–$520
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,750
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$650
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $13,304 is $12,914 over the fair price (about 34x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Esophagoscp Guide Wire Dilat
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avita Ontario Hospital Ontario, OH | $14,838 | — | 7851% |
| Bucyrus Community Hospital Bucyrus, OH | $14,838 | — | 7851% |
| Galion Community Hospital GALION, OH | $14,838 | — | 7851% |
| Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville , MO | $8,700 | $7,395 | 4968% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Esophagoscp Guide Wire Dilat
CPT code 43196 refers to esophagoscp guide wire dilat (billing description: "Esophagoscp guide wire dilat"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $172 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $172 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.