The average hysterectomy costs $12,000–$15,000 total, but robotic-assisted procedures can exceed $35,000, according to FAIR Health data. Your out-of-pocket cost depends heavily on your insurance plan, the surgical approach used, and whether the procedure is performed inpatient or outpatient. Billing errors are common, particularly wrong CPT codes for the surgical approach and improperly unbundled charges for related procedures like oophorectomy.
1. Types of hysterectomy and what they cost
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. About 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States each year, making it the second most common major surgery for women after cesarean section. The type of hysterectomy — and the approach used to perform it — determines which CPT code is billed and has the largest impact on your total cost.
The four main approaches are: abdominal (open incision), vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted laparoscopic. Robotic procedures have the highest facility charges because hospitals add a technology surcharge on top of the standard facility fee.
2. CPT codes and Medicare rates
The CPT code billed for your hysterectomy must match the surgical approach actually used. When the code does not match — either by accident or to justify a higher charge — you may be overcharged. The table below shows the primary hysterectomy CPT codes, their 2026 Medicare rates, typical hospital charge ranges, and average recovery time.
| CPT Code | Approach | Medicare Rate | Hospital Charge Range | Avg. Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58150 | Total abdominal hysterectomy (open) | $1,284 | $8,000–$25,000 | 6–8 weeks |
| 58260 | Vaginal hysterectomy | $1,156 | $7,500–$20,000 | 3–4 weeks |
| 58550 | Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy | $1,312 | $9,000–$22,000 | 2–4 weeks |
| 58571 | Laparoscopic total hysterectomy | $1,456 | $10,000–$28,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| 58573 | Laparoscopic total hysterectomy with node removal | $1,678 | $12,000–$32,000 | 3–4 weeks |
BillKarma data shows robotic hysterectomy (CPT 58571) is billed at an average of 9.2x the Medicare rate at hospital outpatient departments, compared to 6.1x for traditional laparoscopic — a $3,000–$8,000 premium for robotic technology that is not always medically necessary for a straightforward hysterectomy.
3. Why robotic hysterectomy costs more
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy uses the da Vinci Surgical System (made by Intuitive Surgical), which allows surgeons to operate through small incisions using robotic arms they control from a console. Hospitals typically pay $1–$2 million to purchase the system and hundreds of thousands more annually in maintenance and disposable supplies.
To recover those costs, facilities add a robotic technology surcharge to every procedure. This fee typically appears as a separate line item on your bill ranging from $2,500 to $6,000. It is worth noting that for straightforward hysterectomies, multiple studies have found no significant clinical benefit of robotic-assisted over standard laparoscopic techniques — yet the cost difference is substantial.
If your surgeon recommends a robotic approach, ask: “What is the clinical reason a robotic approach is preferred over standard laparoscopic for my specific condition?” The answer should address your anatomy, surgical complexity, or prior history — not just surgeon preference or hospital revenue goals.
4. Inpatient vs. outpatient billing differences
Whether your hysterectomy is classified as inpatient or outpatient significantly affects your bill. Inpatient procedures trigger a separate hospital room and board charge (typically $2,000–$4,000 per night) and are billed under a DRG (Diagnosis-Related Group) code rather than a CPT code for the facility component.
Most laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies are now performed as same-day or 23-hour outpatient procedures. Abdominal (open) hysterectomies typically require 2–3 nights in the hospital. If your surgeon plans an inpatient stay, confirm it is medically necessary — an unnecessary inpatient classification can add $4,000–$10,000 to your total bill.
5. What drives hysterectomy cost
| Cost Component | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Facility fee | $6,000–$20,000 | Largest component; varies by hospital vs. ASC and inpatient vs. outpatient |
| Surgeon fee | $1,500–$5,000 | Billed separately; verify surgeon is in-network |
| Anesthesia | $1,000–$3,500 | Billed by time units; verify unit count matches operative report |
| Robotic technology fee | $2,500–$6,000 | Only applies to robotic procedures; often negotiable |
| Inpatient room & board | $2,000–$4,000 per night | Only for inpatient classification; 2–3 nights for open procedures |
| Pathology | $300–$800 | Removed tissue sent to pathology lab; billed separately |
6. Insurance coverage and prior authorization
Hysterectomy is covered by most commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid when medically necessary. Common covered indications include uterine fibroids causing heavy bleeding, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, abnormal uterine bleeding unresponsive to other treatments, and gynecologic cancer.
Prior authorization is required by almost all insurers. The authorization will specify the approved surgical approach and facility. If your surgeon changes the approach on the day of surgery (for example, converting from laparoscopic to open due to complications), the facility should update the authorization retroactively. Failure to do so can result in a partial denial of the claim.
Review your plan’s inpatient vs. outpatient coverage differences before your procedure. Some plans have different cost-sharing for inpatient admissions that can significantly raise your out-of-pocket cost.
7. Common billing errors
Hysterectomy bills have a higher-than-average error rate because the procedure involves multiple CPT codes, often multiple surgeons, and sometimes multiple facilities. BillKarma’s analysis of hysterectomy bills at 6,000+ hospitals found the following errors most frequently:
- Wrong CPT code for approach: An abdominal hysterectomy (CPT 58150) billed when a laparoscopic procedure (CPT 58571) was performed, or vice versa. This can cause a billing difference of $300+ in the professional fee and thousands in the facility fee.
- Unbundled oophorectomy: When the ovaries are removed at the same time as the uterus (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), the oophorectomy add-on code (CPT 58661) is sometimes billed as a standalone procedure rather than as an add-on to the hysterectomy. Payers often deny this.
- Robotic fee applied to non-robotic procedure: A robotic technology surcharge appearing on a bill for a standard laparoscopic procedure.
- Anesthesia time unit overcharges: Anesthesia billed for more 15-minute units than the operative report supports.
- Duplicate pathology charges: The removed uterus sent to pathology generates one bill; occasionally, facilities bill twice under different codes.
8. Annotated bill example
Below is a representative itemized bill for a laparoscopic total hysterectomy (CPT 58571) at a hospital outpatient department. Items marked as flagged warrant a closer look; items marked as errors should be disputed.
9. How to dispute hysterectomy charges
Request your itemized bill from the facility, a separate bill from the surgeon’s group, and your operative report. The operative report is the legal document describing exactly what was done and is your primary tool for verifying that the CPT codes on your bill match the procedure performed.
Key dispute steps:
- Compare the CPT code on your bill to the surgical approach described in the operative report. They must match.
- Verify that any add-on procedures (oophorectomy, node dissection) are billed as add-on codes, not as standalone procedures.
- Calculate anesthesia time units from the operative report start and end times. Each 15-minute block = 1 unit.
- If a robotic technology surcharge appears, request documentation that robotic assistance was used and medically indicated. Challenge this fee in writing if your procedure was convertible to standard laparoscopic.
- Submit all disputes in writing with the operative report attached. See our complete dispute guide for letter templates.
For hospital-specific billing patterns, check BillKarma’s hospital comparison tool to see how your facility’s charges compare to the national median for each CPT code.
10. Case studies
Case 1: Robotic markup dispute saves $3,200
A 48-year-old patient in Charlotte received a bill including a $4,800 robotic technology surcharge for a laparoscopic hysterectomy (CPT 58571). Her operative report noted the da Vinci system was used but did not document any clinical reason robotic assistance was preferred over standard laparoscopic. She filed a written dispute with the hospital, citing BillKarma’s data showing robotic hysterectomy is billed at 9.2x the Medicare rate versus 6.1x for standard laparoscopic. The hospital reduced the robotic surcharge by $3,200 as part of a financial hardship adjustment.
Case 2: Wrong CPT code corrected saves $2,800
A 43-year-old in Houston was billed for CPT 58150 (total abdominal hysterectomy, Medicare rate $1,284) when her operative report clearly documented a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (CPT 58550, Medicare rate $1,312). While the Medicare rates are similar, the hospital’s chargemaster rate for the abdominal approach was $23,000 vs. $9,500 for the vaginal/laparoscopic approach. After the billing department reviewed the operative report, they reissued the claim with the correct code, reducing the facility charge by $13,500. Her insurance paid proportionally more, reducing her out-of-pocket by $2,800.
Case 3: Unbundled oophorectomy charge reversed
A 51-year-old in Seattle received a bill showing a full standalone facility fee for CPT 58661 (oophorectomy, $2,400) billed alongside CPT 58571 (laparoscopic total hysterectomy). Under CMS multiple-procedure payment rules, add-on code 58661 should be reimbursed at 50% when billed with 58571. The patient submitted a written dispute citing CMS payment policy. The hospital corrected the claim and reduced the oophorectomy charge to $1,200, saving $1,200.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hysterectomy cost with insurance?
With insurance, most patients owe $2,000–$8,000 out of pocket depending on deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. Robotic-assisted procedures and inpatient stays push costs toward the higher end of that range.
Why does a robotic hysterectomy cost more?
Hospitals add a robotic technology surcharge of $2,500–$6,000 to recover the cost of the da Vinci system. BillKarma data shows robotic procedures are billed at 9.2x the Medicare rate vs. 6.1x for standard laparoscopic — a $3,000–$8,000 premium that is not always medically justified.
What is CPT code 58150 and what does it cost?
CPT 58150 is the code for a total abdominal hysterectomy (open approach). The 2026 Medicare rate is $1,284. Hospital charges typically run $8,000–$25,000 for the surgical component, not including anesthesia or inpatient stay costs.
What are common billing errors on a hysterectomy bill?
The most common errors include the wrong CPT code for the surgical approach, unbundled oophorectomy charges, robotic fees applied to non-robotic procedures, and anesthesia time unit overcharges. Request your operative report and compare it line by line to your itemized bill.
Does insurance require prior authorization for a hysterectomy?
Yes. Almost all insurance plans require prior authorization for a hysterectomy. Confirm the authorization covers the specific CPT code your surgeon plans to bill. If the surgical approach changes on the day of surgery, the facility must update the authorization to avoid a claim denial.
Sources
- FAIR Health Consumer. Hysterectomy Cost Estimates by Approach. fairhealthconsumer.org
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule — CPT 58150, 58260, 58550, 58571, 58573. cms.gov
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Hysterectomy: Patient FAQ. acog.org
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). HCUPnet: Hysterectomy Statistics. hcupnet.ahrq.gov
- Intuitive Surgical. da Vinci System Overview and Published Studies. intuitive.com
- Health Affairs. Robotic Surgery Cost and Outcomes Comparative Studies. healthaffairs.org