Biopsy Cost

How Much Does a Biopsy Cost?

With Insurance: Copays and/or Coinsurance

Without Insurance: $150-$10,000 or more Depending on the Type

A biopsy is removal of a small amount of tissue so it can be examined in a laboratory to check for disease.

Typical costs:

For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a skin biopsy ranges from $150 to $1,000. A needle biopsy performed in a doctor's office would be at the lower end of the range, while a surgical biopsy would be at the higher end of the range.
For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a breast biopsy ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. A needle biopsy performed in a doctor's office would be at the lower end of the range, while a surgical biopsy performed in a hospital would be at the higher end.
For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a liver biopsy ranges from $2,000 to $7,000 or more.
For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a kidney biopsy ranges from $3,000 to $10,000.
A biopsy would be considered medically necessary when ordered by a doctor and would almost always be covered by health insurance.
For patients covered by health insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs would include either a copay or coinsurance, usually ranging from 10 to 40 percent of the total cost.

What should be included:

There are several types of biopsies, according to the National Institutes of Health. In a needle, or percutaneous, biopsy, the doctor uses a needle and syringe, sometimes guided by a CT scan, to remove a piece of tissue in the area of concern. In an open biopsy, with the patient under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision and removes a piece of tissue. In a closed biopsy, the surgeon makes a much smaller cut than in an open biopsy, and uses a tiny camera as a guide. Then, the sample is analyzed in a laboratory and the results are reported back to the physician.
The National Institutes of Health offers descriptions of a bone marrow biopsy, rectal biopsy, lung biopsy, liver biopsy, skin lesion biopsy, breast biopsy and a kidney biopsy.

Additional costs:

Using imaging technology such as ultrasound to guide a biopsy can add to the cost.

Discounts:

Some hospitals offer a discount of 10 percent or more to uninsured patients or patients who make an arrangement to pay ahead of time.

Shopping for a biopsy:

A primary care physician can make a referral to a radiologist, a surgeon or another specialist for a biopsy, depending on the body part and type of biopsy needed.
For example, a bone marrow biopsy often is performed by a hematologist; a skin biopsy by a dermatologist; a kidney biopsy by a urologist; a lung biopsy by a pulmonologist; a breast biopsy by a gynecologist; and a GI tract or liver biopsy by a gastroenterologist.
After the biopsy, the tissue usually should be evaluated by a board-certified pathologist for diagnosis.
Any specialist involved should be certified by a board that is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

Article updated August 2009