Price Checker / CPT 44970
How much does Laparoscopy Appendectomy cost?
CPT 44970 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 19x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$870–$1,750
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$2,200
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $25,263 is $23,963 over the fair price (about 19x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Laparoscopy Appendectomy
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton Regional Medical Center Bluffton, IN | $96,645 | — | 14944% |
| Valley View Medical Center FORT MOHAVE, AZ | $64,438 | — | 11045% |
| Franciscan Health Munster MUNSTER, IN | $62,148 | $16,594 | 10649% |
| Person Memorial Hospital ROXBORO, NC | $60,096 | — | 10294% |
| Highpoint Health - Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas , TN | $51,170 | — | 8750% |
| Memorial Medical Center PORT LAVACA, NM | $47,875 | — | 8180% |
| Highpoint Health - Sewanee with Ascension Saint Thomas , TN | $43,643 | — | 7448% |
| Highpoint Health - Winchester with Ascension Saint Thomas , TN | $43,643 | — | 7448% |
| Meadowview Regional Medical Center MAYSVILLE, KY | $43,268 | — | 7384% |
| Starr Regional Medical Center , TN | $42,182 | — | 7196% |
| Jackson Purchase Medical Center MAYFIELD, KY | $40,649 | — | 6931% |
| Los Alamos Medical Center LOS ALAMOS, NY | $40,596 | — | 6921% |
| Harris Regional Hospital SYLVA, NC | $39,951 | — | 6810% |
| Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital SOMERSET, CO | $38,301 | — | 6525% |
| Parrish Medical Center Titusville, FL | $33,093 | — | 5338% |
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 Laparoscopy Appendectomy
CPT code 44970 refers to laparoscopy appendectomy (billing description: "Laparoscopy appendectomy"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $578 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $578 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.