The cost of medical care depends not only on the procedure, but also on where the care is delivered.
At Surgical Associates Northwest (SANW), many evaluations and procedures are performed:
- In-office, or
- In our ambulatory surgery center (ASC)
High-Quality ENT Care — Without Hospital-Level Costs
This approach helps patients avoid hospital outpatient facility fees, which are often the largest driver of cost.
Below are 2026 Medicare-based comparisons for the Seattle (King County) region, showing the difference between:
- SANW (office or ASC setting)
- Hospital outpatient departments (physician + facility fees)
Office Visits: SANW vs Hospital
Routine ENT visits are significantly more expensive in hospital-based clinics due to added facility fees.
| Hospital Total | SANW Total | Savings at SANW | |
|---|---|---|---|
New patient visit99203
|
$285 | $132.61 | 53% lower |
Established visit99213
|
$215 | $107.88 | 50% lower |
Nasal endoscopy31231
|
$575 | $228.77 | 60% lower |
Flexible laryngoscopy31575
|
$495 | $148.93 | 70% lower |
Ear wax removal69210
|
$185 | $54.16 | 71% lower |
These rates are based on 2026 Medicare reimbursement data for the Seattle (King County) area and include both physician (professional) and facility (technical) components where applicable. Prices are shown for illustrative purposes only. Actual costs will vary depending on site of service, insurance coverage, geographic adjustments, and individual clinical circumstances.
Key Point:
Hospital outpatient visits include a separate facility charge in addition to the physician fee. At SANW, these services are performed in-office with a single, transparent cost.
Office-Based Procedures: SANW vs Hospital
Many procedures traditionally performed in hospitals can be safely completed in-office at SANW, avoiding anesthesia and facility fees.
| Hospital Total | SANW Total | Savings at SANW | |
|---|---|---|---|
Balloon sinuplasty31295
|
$6,120 | $1,914.73 | 69% lower |
Posterior nasal nerve ablation31242
|
$4,220 | $2,918.40 | 31% lower |
Nasal valve repair30469
|
$4,950 | $2,830.95 | 43% lower |
Turbinate reduction30140
|
$3,705 | $337.44 | 91% lower |
These rates are based on 2026 Medicare reimbursement data for the Seattle (King County) area and include both physician (professional) and facility (technical) components where applicable. Prices are shown for illustrative purposes only. Actual costs will vary depending on site of service, insurance coverage, geographic adjustments, and individual clinical circumstances.
Key Point:
In hospital settings, the physician fee represents a small portion of the total cost. The majority is driven by facility fees. At SANW, procedures are often performed in-office with no facility charge.
Surgical Procedures: What Patients Pay (ASC vs Hospital)
For procedures requiring surgery, SANW utilizes an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), which provides the same level of care at significantly lower out-of-pocket cost compared to hospital outpatient departments.
| Hospital Total | SANW Total | Savings at SANW | |
|---|---|---|---|
Septoplasty30520
|
$799 | $418 | 48% lower |
Turbinate reduction30140
|
$707 | $326 | 54% lower |
Endoscopic sinus surgery31267
|
$1,486 | $534 | 64% lower |
Tympanoplasty69631
|
$1,368 | $764 | 44% lower |
Mastoidectomy69502
|
$1,377 | $773 | 44% lower |
These rates are based on 2026 Medicare reimbursement data for the Seattle (King County) area and include both physician (professional) and facility (technical) components where applicable. Prices are shown for illustrative purposes only. Actual costs will vary depending on site of service, insurance coverage, geographic adjustments, and individual clinical circumstances.
Key Point:
Patients undergoing surgery at an ASC often pay 40–65% less out-of-pocket compared to hospital-based procedures.
Why Costs Differ
Hospital-based care typically includes:
- Facility fees billed separately from physician services
- Operating room and recovery charges
- Higher administrative overhead
At Surgical Associates Northwest:
- Many procedures are performed in-office or in an ASC
- Facility costs are significantly reduced or eliminated
- Care is delivered efficiently without compromising quality
The Bottom Line
Patients receiving care at Surgical Associates Northwest often experience:
- Significantly lower total cost compared to hospital-based care
- Meaningfully reduced out-of-pocket expenses
- Greater convenience and faster recovery
Disclaimers
- All pricing comparisons are based on 2026 Medicare reimbursement data, including the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS/APC) rates, adjusted for the Seattle (King County) locality.
- SANW pricing reflects non-facility (office or ASC) Medicare-allowable rates, which include both physician work and practice expense components.
- Hospital pricing reflects combined physician (facility rate) and hospital outpatient facility payments based on applicable APC groupings and Seattle-area wage adjustments.
- “Patient pays” estimates are based on standard Medicare cost-sharing and may not reflect individual supplemental coverage.
- Actual costs will vary depending on insurance coverage, deductibles, co-insurance, procedure complexity, and site of service.
- These estimates are provided for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of charges or payment.
