If you’re uninsured in Arkansas and need a colonoscopy, you’re probably concerned about the cost. We understand, this essential screening can be expensive, with prices ranging from under $1,000 to several thousand dollars depending on where you go.

This guide explores your options in Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, focusing on typical costs, the affordable ColonoscopyAssist program, and other financial resources available to you.

Average Colonoscopy Cost in Arkansas

In Arkansas, costs reflect these national trends, with the average colonoscopy running about $2,026. Other sources suggest regional averages between $2,603 and $3,093.

Where you have your procedure done matters tremendously. The average cash price is $1,052 at a freestanding surgery center compared to $1,489 at a hospital outpatient department. That’s nearly 50% more for essentially the same service!

Finding Affordable Options in Hot Springs

Typical Costs Without Insurance

For uninsured individuals in Hot Springs, colonoscopy costs outside of assistance programs range from $900 to $2,925. These align with the statewide averages but highlight the importance of shopping around.

ColonoscopyAssist currently offers a fixed, all-inclusive rate of $1,495 for colonoscopies in Hot Springs.

Local Help Programs

Besides ColonoscopyAssist, other resources in Hot Springs include:

• CHI St. Vincent
  • Community Care Clinic at 100 McGowan Court serves uninsured/underinsured individuals
  • Financial assistance for medically necessary care (for households up to 400% of Federal Poverty Level)
  • Contact a financial counselor at (501) 552-3150
  • Online cost estimator tool available
• Other Resources
  • National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics finder (search zip code 71901)
  • Arkansas 211 connects callers to local health resources

Options in Little Rock

Typical Costs Without Insurance

Little Rock shows significant price variation. The median cost is $1,448, but prices range from $875 to $2,850 at many facilities, and potentially up to $9,400 at major centers like UAMS Medical Center.

ColonoscopyAssist offers their all-inclusive service in Little Rock for $1,395.

Local Help Programs

As the state capital and medical hub, Little Rock offers several assistance avenues:

• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
  • Diagnostic Clinic offers colonoscopies (501-686-6560)
  • Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) specifically designed for disadvantaged individuals (501-526-5260)
  • Partnerships for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Arkansas (PiCS-AR!) project works with clinics serving high percentages of uninsured patients
• CHI St. Vincent
  • Community Care – East Clinic at 2500 East 6th Street serves uninsured/underinsured patients
  • System-wide financial assistance program
  • Contact: (501) 552-3150

Finding Care in Pine Bluff

Typical Costs Without Insurance

Specific price data for Pine Bluff is less available compared to other cities. For reference, related endoscopy procedures average around $1,525 across four providers.

ColonoscopyAssist offers their service in Pine Bluff at $1,395, the same rate as Little Rock.

Local Help Programs

Resources near Pine Bluff include:

• Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC)
  • Provides digestive/GI services including colonoscopies
  • Has a financial assistance program (contact their billing department directly)
• Other Options
  • South Arkansas Surgery Center in Pine Bluff offers colon cancer screening
  • Pine Bluff VA Clinic provides colonoscopy services for eligible veterans
  • Mid-Delta Health System in nearby Clarendon and DeWitt partners with the UAMS PiCS-AR! program

State Resources That Can Help

Arkansas Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (ARCCSI)

• Established by law to provide screenings for individuals 45+ or high-risk younger individuals
• Prioritizes uninsured/underinsured people
• Housed within the Arkansas Department of Health

Act 779 of 2021

• Lowered the mandated insurance coverage age from 50 to 45
• Eliminated cost-sharing for follow-up colonoscopies after positive non-invasive tests

Arkansas Department of Health Programs

• Colorectal Cancer Prevention Program provides information about screening options
• Charitable Clinics Grant Program supports free/low-cost care clinics

UAMS Programs

• Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (CCSP)
• Partnerships for Colorectal Cancer Screening initiative (PiCS-AR!)

Final Thoughts

While colonoscopy costs in Arkansas present real challenges for uninsured individuals, affordable options do exist. Programs like ColonoscopyAssist offer predictable pricing significantly below market rates in Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff.

State initiatives, hospital assistance policies, and charitable organizations provide additional pathways to care.

Disclaimer

Before making any decisions regarding anesthesia, sedation options, colonoscopies, or any medical procedure, always consult with your physician, anesthesiologist, or qualified healthcare provider. This article should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.