How much does Diagnostic colonoscopy cost at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital?

Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital lists Diagnostic colonoscopy (CPT 45378) at $4,214.10. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $164.67, making this a 25.6x markup. The national average charge for this procedure is approximately $2,905.

Does Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital offer financial assistance?

Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital is a nonprofit hospital and is required under IRS Section 501(r) to maintain a written financial assistance policy. Contact their billing department to request the Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) application. Eligibility typically covers patients up to 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level, though thresholds vary by hospital.

Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital billing

Q: What is Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital's billing grade?

BillKarma gives Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital a billing grade of F. This grade is based on an average markup of 30.4x Medicare rates across 6 procedures in their CMS-published price transparency file. This is above the national average of approximately 3.4x Medicare.

1100 S 10th Ave, Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246

Voluntary non-profit - Private
Critical Access Hospitals

1. Call billing

Have your account number ready. Ask for an itemized bill and ask whether you can apply for financial assistance.

Main hospital line

(712) 472-5400

Ask for patient billing or patient financial services.

Call (712) 472-5400

2. See if you qualify for free or discounted care

As a nonprofit hospital, Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital must have a written financial assistance policy under IRS rule 501(r). You can usually apply up to 240 days after your first bill, even if it went to collections.

Start an application cover letter

3. Send it in writing

A written request creates a record. Fill in your details, then print, email or mail it to Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital billing.

Request an itemized bill
Every charge, with its billing code. Start here.
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Apply for financial assistance
Cover letter for the hospital's application, with a request to pause collections.
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Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa receives a BillKarma billing grade of F based on an average markup of 30.4x Medicare rates across 6 procedures in their published price transparency file. This places it among the 10 most expensive hospitals in Iowa by markup ratio. The highest individual markups are for Egd biopsy single/multiple (37.6x Medicare) and Lap ing hernia repair init (36.1x Medicare). Patients with scheduled procedures at this hospital should review costs and compare nearby alternatives before confirming — charges at D and F grade hospitals are significantly above the national average.

Common procedure prices

Last updated: 2026-10-21

Code	Description	Hospital charge	Medicare pays	Markup	Your est. cost
43239	Egd biopsy single/multiple	$4646.43	$123.58	37.6×	—
49650	Lap ing hernia repair init	$15306.25	$424.19	36.1×	—
49505	Prp i/hern init reduc >5 yr	$16674.39	$508.03	32.8×	—
47562	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy	$19239.11	$631.95	30.4×	—
45378	Diagnostic colonoscopy	$4214.10	$164.67	25.6×	—
45385	Colonoscopy w/lesion removal	$4470.32	$223.45	20.0×	—

Highlighted: charged at 5× or more what Medicare pays for the same code.

How to dispute a bill from Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital

Last updated: 2026-10-21

AVERA MERRILL PIONEER HOSPITAL currently shows a billing grade of F with an average markup around 30.4x versus Medicare reference rates. In currently loaded benchmark samples, this is above the national average (8.0x). Use that benchmark when asking billing to review line items and justify large gaps. This hospital appears to be nonprofit. Ask for the formal financial assistance application, income thresholds, and deadline rules before making payment commitments. Reported charity-care level is not reported. Before paying, scan your bill with BillKarma to identify line-item issues and generate a dispute packet.

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Nearby hospitals

Avera Holy Family Hospital Estherville · Grade F

Prices at a glance

Billing grade: F
Typical price vs. Medicare: 30.4×
Procedures compared: 6
Rank in Iowa: 1
Cash discount: None
Patient Experience: Not Reported

From the hospital's price transparency file, compared with 2026 Medicare rates. Last updated: 2026-10-21. How grades work

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