The cost of giving birth through cesarean section in the United States varies significantly by state and insurance status. In 2023, the national median charge for a C-section delivery for those without insurance, or using out-of-network services, was 37,654 U.S. dollars, with New Jersey topping the list of the highest costs at 52,592 U.S. dollars.
Insurance impact on c-section costs
Having insurance significantly reduces the financial burden of childbirth. The national median allowed value for insured, in-network C-sections was 16,943 U.S. dollars in 2023, less than half the cost for uninsured patients. Even with insurance, costs vary widely by state, with New Jersey again having the highest median allowed value at 26,900 U.S. dollars. The disparity between insured and uninsured costs underscores the importance of healthcare coverage for expectant mothers.
C-section rates and reasons
C-section rates in the United States remain higher than national targets. In 2022, the average C-section rate for low-risk first-time mothers was 25.2 percent, above the national target of 23.6 percent. Among all live births, the C-section rate was even higher, at 32.1 percent in 2022. A 2023 survey revealed that about a quarter of women who had C-sections in the past six months did so due to previous C-sections, while over half reported having emergency C-sections. (1448381, 1448748)
Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)*
*Median: The midpoint of the distribution of values below and above which there is an equal number of values. Charge amount: The amount charged to a patient who is uninsured or obtaining an out-of-network service.
Cost of birth includes: Inpatient and outpatient facility and professional costs are included. Services include the delivery itself (e.g., pharmacy, nursery, labor and delivery room, medical and surgical supplies, room and board for the mother), anesthesia, fetal nonstress tests, ultrasounds, laboratory work and breast pump.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
FAIR Health. (September 9, 2024). Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 07, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/
FAIR Health. "Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)*." Chart. September 9, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 07, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/
FAIR Health. (2024). Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 07, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/
FAIR Health. "Median Cost of C-section Delivery without Insurance in The U.S. in 2023, by State (in U.S. Dollars)*." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Sep 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/
FAIR Health, Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/ (last visited November 07, 2024)
Median cost of c-section delivery without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state (in U.S. dollars)* [Graph], FAIR Health, September 9, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/982494/c-section-delivery-cost-without-insurance-by-us-state/