How Much Does Carotid Endarterectomy Cost in the US? (2026 Guide)

6 Min
October 5, 2026

By Adeel Naeem Naqi, Editor-in-Chief · Know Your Surgery editorial team
Medically reviewed for current US clinical guidance · Last reviewed: October 5, 2026

A carotid endarterectomy in the United States typically has a billed cost of about $15,000 to $30,000, including the surgeon, hospital, and anesthesia. It is usually done as an inpatient or short-stay surgery to remove plaque from a narrowed carotid artery and lower stroke risk. Because it is almost always medically necessary, it is generally covered by private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid, so insured out-of-pocket costs are usually far lower, often about $1,500 to $5,000. Uninsured cash-pay prices commonly run about $12,000 to $25,000. Carotid artery stenting is an alternative that often costs a similar amount or more because of the stent device.

Cost item	Typical 2026 US range	Insurance coverage
Carotid endarterectomy billed total	$15,000 to $30,000	Covered by Medicare and most plans when medically necessary
Insured out-of-pocket	$1,500 to $5,000	Depends on deductible, coinsurance, and whether it is inpatient
Uninsured cash-pay	$12,000 to $25,000	Not covered; often negotiable with a self-pay discount
Carotid artery stenting (alternative)	Often similar or higher	The stent device adds cost; coverage rules can be stricter
Added costs	Pre-op imaging, anesthesia, any hospital stay	Usually billed within the episode or separately

Sources: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS); FAIR Health cost data. Costs vary by facility, region, and whether open surgery or stenting is used.

What the Carotid Endarterectomy Price Includes

The vascular surgeon’s fee
The hospital facility fee, including any inpatient or observation stay
Anesthesia
Pre-operative imaging such as carotid ultrasound, CT angiography, or MRI
Follow-up visits and any post-operative monitoring

Insurance and Coverage

Carotid endarterectomy is performed to reduce the risk of stroke, so it is considered medically necessary and is generally covered. This is true for symptomatic patients, who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack, and for selected patients with high-grade narrowing of the artery. What you pay depends on your plan’s deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum, and on whether the surgery is billed as inpatient or outpatient.

If You Do Not Have Insurance

Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer financial assistance to lower-income patients. Ask for the financial assistance or charity care application.
Hospitals and surgery centers often give a discount for paying cash, and payment plans are commonly available.
Ask for a good-faith estimate under the No Surprises Act before scheduling.
Confirm the surgeon, facility, and anesthesiologist are all in network to avoid surprise out-of-network bills.

Open Surgery vs Carotid Artery Stenting

There are two main ways to treat a narrowed carotid artery, and the cost can differ.

Carotid endarterectomy (open surgery): The surgeon opens the artery and removes the plaque. This is the long-established approach and is often the lower-cost option.
Carotid artery stenting: A less invasive option that places a stent to hold the artery open. The stent device and imaging can push the total to a similar amount or higher. Your care team recommends one approach based on your anatomy and risk, not on price alone.

Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance

Medicare: Covers carotid endarterectomy for eligible patients. Part A covers a qualifying inpatient stay, and Part B covers outpatient and surgeon services, each with its own cost-sharing.
Medicaid: Covers medically necessary surgery for eligible patients, usually with little or no cost.
Private insurance: Covers the procedure subject to your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

Because many patients are older adults, Medicare is a common payer for this surgery.

Other Factors That Affect Your Cost

Inpatient vs short-stay: An overnight hospital stay adds to the bill compared with a same-day discharge.
Region: Prices run higher in some metro areas and lower in others.
Pre-operative testing: Imaging to measure the narrowing is a real part of the total cost.
Complications: Uncommon issues can extend the hospital stay and add costs, which is why estimates are ranges.

Typical Out-of-Pocket Scenarios

Medicare patient, short inpatient stay: often the Part A deductible plus any Part B coinsurance, commonly a few thousand dollars.
Privately insured, deductible not yet met: can be toward the higher end of the insured range until the out-of-pocket maximum is reached.
Uninsured, cash-pay: commonly about $12,000 to $25,000, often with a self-pay discount or payment plan.

How to Get a Personal Cost Estimate

Ask the surgeon’s office for the procedure codes they plan to bill.
Call your insurer with those codes to learn your expected out-of-pocket cost.
Confirm the surgeon, facility, and anesthesiologist are all in network.
Ask whether the surgery will be billed as inpatient or outpatient, since that changes your share.
If you are uninsured or paying cash, request a good-faith estimate under the No Surprises Act before scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a carotid endarterectomy cost in the US?

Billed costs typically range from about $15,000 to $30,000. With insurance, out-of-pocket costs are usually about $1,500 to $5,000, and uninsured cash-pay prices run about $12,000 to $25,000.

Does insurance cover carotid endarterectomy?

Yes. Because it is done to lower stroke risk, it is considered medically necessary and is generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Your cost-sharing depends on the plan.

Is carotid stenting cheaper than open surgery?

Not usually. Stenting is less invasive, but the stent device and imaging often make the total similar or higher. Your care team chooses the approach based on your anatomy and risk.

Will I need to stay in the hospital?

Many patients stay one night for monitoring, though some centers discharge the same day. An inpatient stay adds to the cost compared with same-day discharge.

Does Medicare cover this surgery?

Yes, for eligible patients. Part A covers a qualifying inpatient stay and Part B covers outpatient and surgeon services, each with its own cost-sharing.

What if my insurer denies coverage?

You can appeal with supporting documentation from your surgeon. Nonprofit hospitals must also offer financial assistance to eligible lower-income patients, and payment plans are commonly available.

More US Cost Guides

Comparing costs for another US procedure? These guides use the same insurance-and-Medicare breakdown:

Sources

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare coverage and cost-sharing. https://www.medicare.gov/
Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Carotid artery disease and treatment. https://vascular.org/
MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Carotid artery surgery. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002951.htm
FAIR Health Consumer. US medical and surgical cost estimates. https://fairhealthconsumer.org/
US No Surprises Act. Good-faith estimate rights. https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general education and reflects typical 2026 US ranges, which vary by hospital, region, insurance, and the specific procedure performed. Verify costs with your own surgical facility and insurance plan. This article is not medical or financial advice.