Price Checker / CPT 43231
How much does Esophagoscop Ultrasound Exam cost?
CPT 43231 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 36x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$210–$410
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,650
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$510
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $11,163 is $10,853 over the fair price (about 36x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Esophagoscop Ultrasound Exam
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beartooth Billings Clinic RED LODGE, MT | $23,729 | — | 17101% |
| UPMC Wellsboro WELLSBORO, PA | $5,161 | $4,129 | 3641% |
| Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville , MO | $4,600 | $3,910 | 3235% |
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 Esophagoscop Ultrasound Exam
CPT code 43231 refers to esophagoscop ultrasound exam (billing description: "Esophagoscop ultrasound exam"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $138 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $138 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.