Price Checker / CPT 43205
How much does Esophagus Endoscopy/ligation cost?
CPT 43205 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 16x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$190–$380
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,600
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$480
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $4,723 is $4,433 over the fair price (about 16x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Esophagus Endoscopy/ligation
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Wellsboro WELLSBORO, PA | $5,161 | $4,129 | 3999% |
| Haskell Regional Hospital , OK | $4,672 | $4,672 | 3610% |
| Monroe Regional Hospital ABERDEEN, MS | $4,672 | $4,672 | 3610% |
| Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville , MO | $4,385 | $3,727 | 3382% |
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 Esophagus Endoscopy/ligation
CPT code 43205 refers to esophagus endoscopy/ligation (billing description: "Esophagus endoscopy/ligation"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $126 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $126 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.