Average cholecystectomy charges vary greatly depending on location of procedure

DATA BENCHMARKS: Study finds wide variation in average charges for cholecystectomies. An in-depth analysis of claims admissions data from The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company compares average charges for in-hospital and outpatient laparoscopic and traditional open cholecystectomies by state and by region. The analysis also reveals significant differences by state in the percent that hospital charges represent of the total bill for those procedures.