How Much Does Anesthesia Cost Without Insurance in 2024?

The total costs of your anesthesia can range from just $200 to $3,500 and the cost depends mainly on the type of anesthesia, whether that be local, regional, general anesthesia, or sedation. Total anesthesia costs typically include the anesthesia supply and equipment fees, the number of anesthesia units, the duration of the procedure, and the provider’s charge per unit of anesthesia. 

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The Average Cost of Anesthesia by Procedure Type

The cost of anesthesia can range from $200 to over $3,500, not including other services used during the procedure or surgery. The cost of anesthesia depends largely on the duration of the procedure, base units of the procedure, and the location. Below are the average costs of anesthesia for different types of medical procedures:

Cost of Anesthesia for Different Procedures  

Source: Cost Helper Health, Mira

Anesthesia Cost Calculation

The cost of anesthesia is calculated using a formula that includes the base units, the duration of the procedure, and a conversion factor. 

• The duration of the procedure is simply the length of your medical procedure given in 15-minute increments. Longer procedures will result in higher anesthesia costs.
• The base units account for the complexity, risk, intensity, and skill required to perform the service. More complex procedures that have higher base units will result in higher anesthesia costs.
• The conversion factor depends on which state you are receiving your procedure in. Some states have higher conversion factors that result in more expensive anesthesia.

If you are trying to determine the cost of anesthesia alone, you will want to know the average number of base units of anesthesia is needed for the procedure, the time it takes to complete the procedure, and your location, which indicates the conversion factor. Below is the formula used to calculate anesthesia fees:

Anesthesia Fee Amount = (Base Units + Time[units]) x Conversion Factor

Example of Cost Calculation for Anesthesia

Let’s calculate the cost of anesthesia for a total shoulder replacement in Manhattan, New York. This procedure takes about 3 hours to complete on average. This means there are 12 units for this procedure (1 unit = 15 minutes). The base units for this procedure are 10 and the conversion factor for New York is 24.55. Therefore, the calculation for anesthesia for this procedure is as follows: 

Shoulder Surgery Anesthesia Fee Amount = (10 Base Units + 12 Time Units) x 24.55 = $540.10

In Manhattan for a total shoulder replacement surgery under general anesthesia, you can expect to pay at least $540.10 for the anesthesia alone. However, the cost for anesthesia does not include the cost of monitoring devices or the healthcare provider’s rate for the procedure. The next section reviews additional costs that are added in addition to anesthesia.