Cesarean section delivery costs without insurance in the U.S. in 2023, by state

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)