How Much Does Egd Place Gastrostomy Tube Cost?
Also known as: Egd place gastrostomy tube (CPT 43246)
Upper endoscopy with placement of a feeding tube (PEG tube) through the abdominal wall into the stomach.
The total estimated cost of Egd Place Gastrostomy Tube (CPT 43246) is $600 to $1,124, including hospital fees, anesthesia, and supplies. The surgeon's Medicare fee alone is $178.
Total Estimated Cost of Care
This estimate includes hospital facility fees, anesthesia, and supplies .
Patient Guide: Egd Place Gastrostomy Tube
What you need to know before your appointment
What to Expect
During an endoscopy, the doctor creates a small opening in the abdominal wall and places a tube directly into the stomach for feeding. This is for patients who cannot swallow safely.
How Long Does It Take?
30-45 minutes
Common Reasons Doctors Order This
Inability to swallow safely, stroke with swallowing difficulty, head and neck cancer, neurological conditions affecting swallowing
How to Prepare
Fast as directed. The tube site needs daily cleaning. You will be taught how to use the feeding tube before discharge.
Procedures Commonly Done Together
These procedures are frequently performed alongside Egd place gastrostomy tube
How to Reduce Your Cost for Egd place gastrostomy tube
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 (5.34) x CF ($33.40) = $178
Related Procedures
Similar procedures in the same category or body system
People Also Ask
Common questions people search for about this procedure
Does insurance cover a feeding tube?
Home tube feeding – Covered based on the medical need and when the therapy is given at home for 90 days or more. It helps cover items like formula, administration sets and supplies, feeding tubes, pump rental or purchase, and an intravenous (IV) pole. Both formula and supplies must come from one supplier for coverage.
How much does tube feeding cost?
The average daily cost of PEG tube feeding was 7.21 (median 3.50). The estimated cost of providing 1 year of feeding via PEG is 1,832 (median 2,227). The main components of this cost include the initial PEG procedure (29.4%), enteral formula (24.9%), and hospital charges for major complications (33.4%).
How long can a person stay on a feeding tube?
What is the best feeding tube for gastroparesis patients?
For patients with gastroparesis who are unable to maintain nutrition with oral intake, a feeding jejunostomy tube, which bypasses the affected stomach, can improve symptoms and reduce hospitalizations (62).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Egd place gastrostomy tube cost?
The Medicare facility rate for Egd place gastrostomy tube is $178. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).
How much does Egd place gastrostomy tube cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the cost of Egd place gastrostomy tube 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 Egd place gastrostomy tube?
Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Egd place gastrostomy tube 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.