Price Checker / CPT 43197
How much does Esophagoscopy Flex Diagnostic Brush cost?
CPT 43197 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 54x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$300–$590
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,550
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$740
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $24,418 is $23,968 over the fair price (about 54x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Esophagoscopy Flex Diagnostic Brush
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital SULLIVAN, MO | $24,762 | $14,857 | 12465% |
| Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre BONNE TERRE, MO | $24,762 | $14,857 | 12465% |
| Beartooth Billings Clinic RED LODGE, MT | $23,729 | — | 11941% |
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 Esophagoscopy Flex Diagnostic Brush
CPT code 43197 refers to esophagoscopy flex diagnostic brush (billing description: "Esophagoscopy flex dx brush"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $68 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $197 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.