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Cost of prostate biopsy by state

The following estimated costs are based on cash prices that providers have historically charged on average for prostate biopsy and will vary depending on where the service is done. The prices do not include the anesthesia, imaging, and other doctor visit fees that normally accompany prostate biopsy.

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StateName Average Cash Price
Alabama $2,229
Alaska $3,016
Arizona $2,522
Arkansas $2,209
California $2,768
Colorado $2,436
Connecticut $2,666
Delaware $2,590
District of Columbia $2,568
Florida $2,447
Georgia $2,294
Hawaii $2,320
Idaho $2,254
Illinois $2,559
Indiana $2,334
Iowa $2,121
Kansas $2,197
Kentucky $2,248
Louisiana $2,494
Maine $2,253
Maryland $2,653
Massachusetts $2,734
Michigan $2,518
Minnesota $2,834
Mississippi $2,267
Missouri $2,240
Montana $2,331
Nebraska $2,278
Nevada $2,407
New Hampshire $2,414
New Jersey $2,924
New Mexico $2,222
New York $2,752
North Carolina $2,208
North Dakota $2,454
Ohio $2,296
Oklahoma $2,457
Oregon $2,506
Pennsylvania $2,587
Rhode Island $2,757
South Carolina $2,353
South Dakota $2,193
Tennessee $2,212
Texas $2,390
Utah $2,491
Vermont $2,445
Virginia $2,379
Washington $2,653
West Virginia $2,380
Wisconsin $2,512
Wyoming $2,446

What is a prostate biopsy?

A prostate biopsy is a procedure during which a small tissue sample is taken from the prostate gland. The tissue sample will be sent off for laboratory testing to help make or confirm a diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a prostate biopsy if you’ve already had some tests that indicate a problem with the prostate gland.

What happens when you have a prostate biopsy?

There are two techniques for performing a prostate biopsy. The first is a transrectal biopsy. During this procedure, a needle is passed through the rectum wall to get the tissue sample.

The second technique is a transperineal biopsy. A small incision is made between the scrotum and anus during this procedure. Then the needle is inserted through the incision to get samples from the prostate. MRI or CT scan is used during this procedure to guide the needle. 

During the procedure, you’ll lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest or on your stomach. An ultrasound probe will locate and take pictures of the prostate during the procedure. The ultrasound probe will be placed in your rectum. Your doctor will inject a numbing medication to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Once you are numb, your doctor will use a needle to get several samples from the prostate.

How long does a biopsy of the prostate take?

A prostate biopsy is a quick procedure. The entire procedure lasts about 20 minutes.

At what PSA level should a biopsy be done?

Most providers agree that a prostate biopsy is indicated if your PSA is 4ng/ml or higher. But some providers believe that a lower level (2.5 or 3 ng/ml) may be a better starting point.

What percentage of prostate biopsies are cancer?

Only 25% of prostate biopsies turn out to be cancer. There is a risk of receiving a false negative result from a prostate biopsy. 

 

Your PSA can be elevated from causes other than cancer. These might include:

  • An enlarged prostate
  • Older age
  • Prostatitis (an infection of the prostate gland)
  • Having ejaculated in the few days prior to the test
  • Urologic procedures
  • Some medications, like testosterone

Can you drive home after a prostate biopsy?

Because it’s natural to feel anxious before a prostate biopsy, a sedative is often given before the procedure. If you’ve taken a sedative, it’s best to have someone else drive you home after your biopsy.

What can you not do after a prostate biopsy?

After your prostate biopsy, avoid any strenuous activity for the next 24-48 hours. If you’ve been prescribed an antibiotic, which is commonly prescribed, avoid drinking alcohol until you are done with the medicine. Don’t take any over-the-counter aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications that could increase bleeding after a biopsy. Don’t have sex for one week after a prostate biopsy. 

While most men do well after a prostate biopsy, notify your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

  • Fever
  • Trouble urinating
  • Heavy bleeding in your urine or from your rectum
  • Any bleeding that lasts over 7 days

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.