How Much Does C-Section Delivery (Total OB Care) Cost?
Also known as: Cesarean delivery (CPT 59510)
Cesarean section (C-section) delivery, including routine obstetric care.
The total estimated cost of C-Section Delivery (Total OB Care) (CPT 59510) is $8,311 to $15,583, including hospital fees, anesthesia, and supplies. The surgeon's Medicare fee alone is $2,473.
Total Estimated Cost of Care
This estimate includes hospital facility fees, anesthesia, and supplies .
Patient Guide: C-Section Delivery (Total OB Care)
What you need to know before your appointment
What to Expect
Under spinal or epidural anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen and uterus to deliver the baby. You are awake but numb from the waist down. Your partner can usually be present.
How Long Does It Take?
45-60 minutes for the surgery; hospital stay 2-4 days
Common Reasons Doctors Order This
Breech baby, placenta previa, failed induction, fetal distress, prior C-section, multiple births, large baby
How to Prepare
Fast as directed before surgery. Remove jewelry and nail polish. Arrange help at home for 4-6 weeks. You will have lifting restrictions during recovery.
Procedures Commonly Done Together
These procedures are frequently performed alongside Cesarean delivery
How to Reduce Your Cost for Cesarean delivery
Practical tips that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars
- 1 Ask about cash-pay discounts
Many hospitals and clinics offer 20-40% discounts for self-pay patients. Always ask before scheduling.
- 2 Compare facility vs. office setting costs
Some procedures cost significantly less in an office setting than a hospital. Ask your provider about options.
- 3 Shop around — costs vary significantly
Costs can vary 2-3x between providers in the same city. Get quotes from multiple facilities.
How is the Price Calculated?
Medicare calculates procedure payments using Relative Value Units (RVUs). Each procedure has three components multiplied by a conversion factor ($33.40 in 2026) and adjusted by geographic cost indices.
Payment = Total RVU (74.05) x CF ($33.40) = $2,473
Related Procedures
Similar procedures in the same category or body system
People Also Ask
Common questions people search for about this procedure
How much does a C-section cost out of pocket?
What is the rarest hour to be born?
What is the 5 5 5 rule for C-section?
Will insurance pay for a C-section?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cesarean delivery cost?
The Medicare facility rate for Cesarean delivery is $2,473. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).
How much does Cesarean delivery cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the cost of Cesarean delivery can range from 150% of Medicare to 500% of Medicare depending on the facility. Many hospitals and clinics offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% off their chargemaster price. Always ask about cash pricing before your visit.
Does insurance cover Cesarean delivery?
Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Cesarean delivery when ordered by a physician for a medically necessary reason. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay/coinsurance structure, and whether you use an in-network provider. Check with your insurance company before scheduling to confirm coverage and get a cost estimate.
Why does the cost vary so much by location?
Medicare adjusts payments using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) that reflect local differences in physician work costs, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Manhattan, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural regions. Commercial insurers follow similar geographic patterns.