How Much Does it Cost to Treat Kidney Stones without Insurance
The treatment for kidney stones can vary drastically between patients. Some kidney stones can be treated with hydration and pain management if uncomplicated and small. If you find that you need surgery for kidney stone removal, your treatment can cost anywhere from $3,304-$12,525 without insurance.
The Cost of Kidney Stone Treatment at Different Clinics & Locations
The following are basic types of surgical interventions for kidney stone treatment and their corresponding price ranges. These surgical interventions are recommended based on the size of your kidney stone, prior treatments, and patient characteristics.
Cost of Kidney Stone Treatment Based on Service
| Type of Surgery | Treatment Cost Without Insurance |
|---|---|
| Ureteroscopy | $3,304-$12,525 |
| Shock wave Lithotripsy | $7,000 |
| Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy | $12,295 |
*This data is collected based on price ranges in New York City
Cost of Uncomplicated, At-Home Kidney Stone Treatment
Patients with small kidney stones and mild symptoms do not need extensive surgical treatment. These patients' costs will tend to be much lower as they can resolve their kidney stones at home. Most physicians recommend a combination of hydration, pain relievers, and specific medications to pass small kidney stones. A small stone may take up to 2-4 weeks to pass.
- Hydration: Drinking 12 glasses of water daily can help you pass a kidney stone. Staying hydrated is also important for kidney stone prevention. Consuming lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can also help speed up the process. The citric acids in both liquids can help break down kidney stones.
- Pain medication: OTC pain medications can help to manage discomfort and pain when passing small kidney stones. Your physician might recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage your pain.
- Kidney medication: Your physician may prescribe you certain medications to help your kidney stones pass. Medications such as calcium channel blockers, diuretics, uric acid reducers, or alpha-blockers will help your ureter relax or help to decrease the size of the kidney stone.
The following costs of these medications are listed below:
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Sophie is a 2024 Pharm D. candidate studying pharmacy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She has a passion for healthcare and writing and hopes to make meaningful contributions to healthcare transparency and accessibility. In her free time, she likes to take care of her houseplants, cook, and hang out with her cat.