How much does Upper endoscopy (EGD) cost in Houston?

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $813 at Ben Taub Hospital to $3,611 at Houston Methodist Hospital, based on the hospitals' own federally mandated price files.

Is it cheaper to pay cash than use insurance?

Sometimes. Several hospitals publish discounted cash prices below the rates insurers negotiate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the self-pay price.

Why do prices differ so much between hospitals?

Each hospital negotiates rates separately with each insurer, and hospitals in the same health system usually share one contract. The same procedure with the same insurer can cost several times more across town.

Costs · Endoscopy · Upper endoscopy (EGD) · Houston · codes 43235, 43239

How much does an upper endoscopy (EGD) cost in Houston?

Camera exam of the esophagus stomach and upper intestine; bundle includes the with-biopsy variant. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 19 Houston-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$813

lowest median negotiated rate

Ben Taub Hospital

$3,611

highest (adult hospitals)

Houston Methodist Hospital

4.4×

price spread

same procedure, same metro

Rates shown

Median negotiated rate per hospital · sorted low → high · hover a bar for the full receipt

cash (self-pay) price

Hospital	Gross charge	Cash price	Negotiated	Range	# rates	vs median

* Specialty hospital (pediatric or cancer center) — rates reflect specialty case mix. † Median based on fewer than 3 published rates — treat as indicative. Bars show the median dollar-denominated commercial negotiated rate; hospitals sharing a health-system contract show similar rates.

SOURCE: standard-charges files from 19 hospitals · file dates 2026-02-28 → 2026-07-01 · retrieved 2026-08-03 → 2026-08-04

Paying cash can beat using insurance. At Houston Methodist Hospital, the self-pay price is $416 — less than the $3,611 median commercial-insurer rate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the cash rate.

Skipping the hospital? 54 independent imaging/outpatient centers in this area negotiate a median $384 all-in for this procedure (223 insurer rates) — less than the lowest hospital facility fee above ($813).

Academic Allergy Asthma & Immunology Associates — $96
Nikko Cosmetic Surgery Center — $97
Houston Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery — $101
Academic Allergy Asthma & Immunology Associates — $108

All-in (global) negotiated fees from Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare's federally mandated Transparency-in-Coverage files, newest dated 2026-08-01; hospital bars above show the facility fee only — a physician fee is usually billed on top. Estimates — confirm with the provider.

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