A Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a common surgical procedure performed to alleviate symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). As the prostate gland grows, it presses on the urethra, causing difficulty with urination, a weakened stream, and frequent nighttime urges. The TURP procedure involves removing the excess prostate tissue blocking the flow of urine. While this is a highly effective treatment, the financial cost is seldom a single, fixed number, varying significantly based on several factors.
The Baseline Cost for TURP Surgery
The gross cost, or “sticker price,” for a TURP procedure before any insurance adjustments falls within a broad national range. Patients without insurance or those on high-deductible plans may face charges ranging from approximately $10,000 to over $25,000. This wide spectrum reflects the different ways hospitals calculate their chargemaster rates. This baseline figure generally covers the procedure itself, including the use of the operating room and standard supplies. It is important to note this initial figure does not usually include separate fees for the surgeon, the anesthesia team, or any extensive pre-operative testing.
Components of the Total Surgical Bill
The total bill for a TURP procedure is a compilation of several distinct charges, with the largest portion often originating from the facility itself. The Facility Fee covers the use of the operating room, recovery room time, medical supplies, and the salaries of the nurses and technical staff. This single charge frequently accounts for the majority of the overall expense. A separate charge is the Surgeon’s Fee, which is the professional payment for the urologist who performs the resection. This fee accounts for the surgeon’s expertise and time, and it may sometimes be bundled with pre-operative consultations and routine post-operative checkups. The Anesthesia Fee is billed by the anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist. This cost is calculated based on the type of anesthesia administered and the total duration of the procedure. Patients may also receive separate bills for services like pre-operative lab work, pathology reports, or necessary imaging scans.
Geographic and Facility Price Variation
The location where the TURP surgery is performed is one of the most significant determinants of its final price. Surgery costs are often much higher in major metropolitan areas compared to more rural locations, reflecting the higher overhead and cost of living in urban centers. This regional variation can account for thousands of dollars in the total bill. The type of medical facility chosen also heavily influences the overall cost. Large, academic teaching hospitals typically have the highest charge rates due to their complex infrastructure and advanced resources. Costs are mid-range at smaller private community hospitals. In contrast, an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) can offer a significantly lower facility fee because of reduced overhead and a focus on outpatient care.
Patient Liability Through Insurance
For most patients, the final amount they pay out-of-pocket is determined by the specific structure of their health insurance plan. The patient is first responsible for meeting their annual deductible, the set amount they must pay before the insurance company begins to cover a portion of the costs. Once the deductible is met, co-insurance dictates the percentage split of the remaining bill, such as an 80/20 arrangement. A major surgery like TURP often causes a patient to quickly reach their Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM). This maximum is the annual financial ceiling a patient must pay for covered, in-network medical services, after which the insurance plan covers 100% of all subsequent eligible costs for the remainder of the plan year. It is also important to ensure all providers—including the facility, surgeon, and anesthesia team—are in-network with the insurance plan. Using an out-of-network provider can result in significantly higher costs and may not count toward the in-network out-of-pocket maximum, potentially leading to substantial balance billing.