Medicare generally covers an endoscopy when a healthcare professional deems it medically necessary. Endoscopies can help diagnose or treat various health conditions.

During an endoscopy, a doctor inserts a tube fixed with a camera and a light (an endoscope) into the mouth to examine a person’s gastrointestinal tract. They may also pass small tools down the endoscope to help them perform procedures such as removing polyps and taking a tissue sample or biopsy for analysis.

Doctors can also insert an endoscope through the rectum to examine the lower digestive tract. This type of endoscopy is known as a colonoscopy.

Costs of endoscopy with Medicare

In many cases, an endoscopy is an outpatient procedure, so Medicare Part B covers most of the cost. After meeting the annual deductible, a person pays 20% of the cost of the procedure and Part B will pay the rest. The annual Part B deductible in 2025 is $257.

Below are the costs for an esophagoscopy, in which a doctor passes an endoscope through the mouth into the esophagus. The endoscope may be rigid or flexible.

Procedure	Setting	Type of endoscope	Cost
Esophagoscopy including biopsy	ambulatory surgical center	rigid	$196
Esophagoscopy including biopsy	hospital outpatient department	rigid	$392
Esophagoscopy with removal of tumors, polyps, or other lesions	ambulatory surgical center	flexible	$191
Esophagoscopy with removal of tumors, polyps, or other lesions	hospital outpatient department	flexible	$387

Sometimes, an endoscopy is necessary while a person is hospitalized. In this case, Medicare Part A typically covers the cost once a person has paid the deductible for their stay in the hospital. The Part A deductible in 2025 is $1,676.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover endoscopies and may also provide additional benefits. Costs vary depending on a person’s plan and where they have the procedure.

Will Medicare cover endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time?

Yes, Medicare will cover an endoscopy and a colonoscopy during the same visit if a doctor considers them medically necessary for treatment, diagnosis, or prevention.

A person must review their Medicare plan details and talk with their health professional to understand the potential out-of-pocket costs of an endoscopy.

Read more about Medicare’s coverage of colonoscopies.