How Much is a Hysterectomy Without Insurance?

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Hysterectomies are the second most common surgery for adult females in the U.S., with approximately 500,000 hysterectomies performed every year. Without insurance, the average cost of a hysterectomy costs between $9,661 - $22,534.  

Hysterectomy Prices by State

Hysterectomies can be quite expensive, ranging from $9,661 to $22,534 without insurance. Various factors can affect the total cost, including insurance coverage, geographical location, and removal of other reproductive organs. Hysterectomies performed in an outpatient hospital tend to be more expensive than those performed in a surgery center. According to Sidecar Health, the table below shows estimated hysterectomy costs by state.

Average Hysterectomy Prices by State

Source: Sidecar Health

Hysterectomy Prices by Procedure 

In some procedures, doctors may recommend you remove additional reproductive organs, including Fallopian tubes and ovaries. These hysterectomies are typically more expensive and invasive. Below are the average prices of various procedures as estimated by Medicare.gov.

Average Hysterectomy Price by Procedure

Types of Hysterectomy

Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend removing other organs besides your uterus. Your medical team will determine which procedure is most appropriate for your condition.

Differences Between Hysterectomy Procedures

How is a Hysterectomy Performed?

There are various surgical techniques used to perform a hysterectomy. Your choice may vary by doctor’s recommendations, preference, and aftercare.

Abdominal

In an abdominal hysterectomy, your doctor will remove your uterus through an incision on your lower abdomen. The procedure lasts an average of two hours, followed by one to two nights of monitoring in the hospital and 4-6 weeks of reduced activity after being discharged. 

Vaginal 

Vaginal hysterectomies remove your uterus and other organs through the vaginal opening. This leaves no visible scarring, and women commonly report the least postoperative pain. You can expect the procedure to last 1-2 hours. Most patients are discharged on the same day of their procedure, while others may need to be monitored for 1-2 days. 

Laparoscopic

Laparoscopic hysterectomies, also known as keyhole surgeries, are performed using a laparoscope and a video camera. A laparoscope is a small tube containing a telescope inserted into the belly button, allowing for minimally invasive surgery.

Your belly button may take 4-6 weeks to recover from postoperative swelling fully. This procedure takes about 90 minutes, and most patients are discharged on the same day. Advantages of this procedure include its shorter hospital stay, the quick recovery time of 1-2 weeks, decreased risk of blood loss and infection, and minimal scarring.

Reasons to Get a Hysterectomy

Hysterectomies may be needed for a variety of reasons. An obstetrics and gynecology doctor (OB/GYN) can help you navigate problems with your reproductive health. Hysterectomies significantly decrease the production of female hormones, typically inducing menopause. This helps prevent the progression or pain caused by certain diseases. 

Cancer

Hysterectomies can treat uterine, ovarian, cervical, or endometrial cancer. This procedure is also used to prevent the spread of cancer, especially in the early stages of cancer. Hysterectomies are common treatments for gynecological cancers, in addition to radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow on the walls of the uterus. These are the most common types of female reproductive tumors. Hysterectomies are performed to remove the uterus and the fibroid growths. Many people do not experience symptoms and will not need treatment. When symptoms occur, people may experience the following:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Painful periods
• Frequent urination
• Painful sexual intercourse

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus onto ovaries, the bowel, the pelvis, and other organs. These growths are painful, cause heavy bleeding, and make it difficult to become pregnant. Estrogen fuels the growth of abnormal tissues, and hysterectomies are performed to decrease this hormone. Hysterectomies are considered the last-line treatment and are not guaranteed to cure endometriosis. 

Heavy or Painful Periods

Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, are characterized by excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding. This abnormal bleeding can be caused by hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, or infection. If birth control and hormonal therapy are not an option, your doctor may suggest a hysterectomy.  

Recovery After a Hysterectomy

After a hysterectomy, you may be monitored after your procedure to ensure your vital signs and overall health are well managed. Following your discharge, your doctor may instruct you to take the following steps once you are home to establish your full recovery. 

Antibiotics

You may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent your recent wound from becoming infected after your procedure. It is essential to arrange these medications before your surgery and to monitor for signs of infections such as fever.

Heavy Lifting and Exercise

Following your hysterectomy, doctors may often suggest you walk lightly multiple times a day to prevent the formation of blood clots and gas pains. While you may feel tired the following days after your surgery, you can resume your normal daily activities, such as walking and stair climbing, as you regain energy. 

It is recommended that you don’t lift objects more than 13 pounds from the floor without help. Avoid lifting heavy objects for six weeks after an abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy and one to two weeks after a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hysterectomies

If you are planning to get a hysterectomy, you may be concerned about the procedure and side effects. Below are some frequently asked questions people have about hysterectomies.

Are there complications to hysterectomies?

The most common complications of hysterectomies are being unable to get pregnant, blood clots, infections, bladder damage, and bowel damage. If you’ve had your ovaries removed, your body will no longer be able to produce estrogen. Following your surgery, you’ll likely have menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sweating. 

How long does hysterectomy surgery take?

Depending on the type of procedure performed, a hysterectomy can take one to four hours to complete. This will also vary by the size of the uterus, scarring from previous surgeries, and removal of other organs.

Does insurance cover hysterectomies? 

Most insurance companies will cover your hysterectomy as long as it is deemed medically necessary by your doctor. Similarly, Medicare Parts A and B cover 80% of the costs of service if the procedure is necessary to treat a condition. Medicare Part B also includes most aftercare services, such as office visits, diagnostic testing, and lab work. Some insurances also cover hysterectomies as part of gender-reassignment surgeries.

Bottom Line

Hysterectomies are recommended to treat various conditions, from abnormal bleeding to cancer. Recent technological developments allow for different techniques in this procedure, including minimally invasive surgeries with shorter recovery times and less scarring. While hysterectomies can be expensive, prices can be optimized through surgery centers and Medicare options.