Rising Healthcare Costs Are Squeezing Vermonters
Vermonters have some of the highest healthcare costs in America.
Now is the perfect time to learn practical ways to make healthcare more affordable. Everyone – insurers, hospitals, regulators, and patients – all have a role to play, and patients can make a meaningful difference by making informed decisions about their care.
Consider These Cost Comparisons for Common Procedures
| Procedure | Highest Cost | Mid-Point Cost | Lowest Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Density Study (DEXA Scan) | $913 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital | $359 Porter Hospital | $162 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center |
| Breast Biopsy with Imaging | $16,054 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital | $8,262 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center | $4,853 Rutland Regional Medical Center |
| Cataract Surgery | $9,785 Windsor Hospital (Mt. Ascutney Hospital) | $4,806 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center | $2,712 Vermont Eye Surgery and Laser Center |
| Chest Scan | $3,495 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | $1,396 Vermont OPEN Imaging | $1,222 Vermont Diagnostic Imaging |
| Gallbladder Removal | $35,057 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | $16,262 Springfield Hospital | $13,293 Central VT Medical Center |
| Hip Replacement | $51,432 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | $24,642 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | $23,558 Central VT Medical Center |
| Laparoscopic Hernia Repair | $30,361 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | $17,569 Rutland Regional Medical Center | $10,761 Central VT Medical Center |
| MRI of Spine | $4,438 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital | $2,560 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | $1,410 Vermont OPEN Imaging |
| Upper GI Endoscopy | $7,768 North Country Hospital | $3,626 Central VT Medical Center | $1,928 Green Mountain Surgery Center |
| Vaginal Delivery | $28,912 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center | $18,248 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital | $10,135 Northwestern Medical Center |
| Carpal Tunnel | $9,649 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | $4,337 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center | $2,969 Springfield Hospital |
| Mohs (for Skin Cancer Treatment) | $3,704 Univ. of Vermont Medical Center | $1,658 Four Seasons Dermatology | |
| Knee Replacement | $52,399 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital | $24,026 Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | $20,632 Central VT Medical Center |
| Sleep Study (with or without CPAP) | $7,900 Southwestern Vermont Medical Center | $5,331 Rutland Regional Medical Center | $2,016 Northwestern Medical Center |
Source: Data as of April 2026. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Axis Cost Transparency Data Averages, Spring 2026. Costs include facility and provider fees.
Three Ways to Save on Your Healthcare Costs
Compare Where You Get Care & Save
- Costs and access for procedures can vary widely between hospitals, outpatient facilities, and surgery and imaging centers. Knowing your options can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Carefully consider when it’s best to visit your doctor, urgent care, or the emergency room. Telehealth can also be a convenient, low-cost option for common health issues, including mental health support.
Know Before You Go
- For routine or elective procedures, there is usually ample time to explore care options, understand costs, and look for savings.
- Ask for a written estimate before your procedure, so you have a clear picture of the costs beforehand. Afterward, review your itemized bill to understand the charges and confirm they are accurate.
Review Your Health Insurance Benefits
- Open Enrollment season is a great time to revisit your health plan’s benefits, premiums, deductibles, and copays to determine what makes sense for your health needs and budget.
- When planning your care, check for “in-network” providers, which are more affordable and can help avoid unexpected expenses.
Cost Comparison Tools
Cost comparison tools are designed to empower patients to make informed healthcare decisions. The tools typically provide patients with estimates of both the total cost of care and the patient’s out-of-pocket costs. Under the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule, hospitals operating in the United States must provide clear online pricing information for all items and services they offer. Vermont law requires commercial health insurers to provide their policyholders with online tools to help them compare prices for medical services.
Check out the cost comparison resources available on our sponsoring organizations websites:
- Northwestern Medical Center
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Vermont
- Green Mountain Surgery Center
- Vermont Diagnostic Imaging (VDI)
- Vermont OPEN Imaging MRI & CT
To learn more about using cost tools, check out the blog What Are Cost Estimate Tools.
Download An Affordability Checklist
Viewpoints on Affordable Care
Listen to these helpful perspectives from a local consumer, doctor, and health plan representative about ways to address today’s healthcare affordability challenges.
David Means, Vermonter and Healthcare Shopper “Shop around and ask “how much will this cost?” | Dr. Ivan Tomek, Orthopedic Surgeon “Patients can call to find out about the cost.” | Lindsay Segale, Customer Service Manager, “Knowledge is Power. The more you know, the more you can save.” |
Saving Money on Prescription Drug Costs
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about options, such as:
- Using generic medications instead of more costly brand name drugs.
- If getting a 30-, 60-, or 90-day supply of your routine medications can help you save.
Prescription prices can differ from one pharmacy to another. Consider using leading websites to compare costs. Either way, check pricing and available discounts before filling your prescription.
Popular websites include:
Some drug manufacturers offer coupons, savings cards, or patient assistance programs that may help lower out-of-pocket costs. Ask your pharmacist or visit the manufacturer's website to see what programs may be available.
Talk To Your Doctor
You trust your doctor to give you the best advice for important healthcare decisions. But as healthcare costs keep rising, what about how to access quality care within your budget?
Many people don’t know how to discuss the cost of care and that can be an expensive, missed opportunity. Making more informed choices can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Talk with your doctor and other providers to decide together what’s best for your health and your budget. Here are some key questions you can ask:
Exploring Care Options
- What treatment options are best for me to consider?
- How much will my procedure cost? And what about related follow-up care or therapies?
- Does a hospital versus an outpatient center make more sense for a procedure, and how do the costs compare?
- Where are the most affordable options for my X-rays, imaging, and lab tests?
- If I need to save up for my procedure, is there a reasonable timeframe to wait? Or should it not be delayed in any way?
- Can I get an estimate in writing to understand all my costs in advance?
Getting Helpful Advice
- Will my insurance cover this and can you help me confirm my potential out-of-pocket costs?
- Who can I contact to explain my bill if I have questions?
- Are there payment plans or patient financial assistance programs available for me?
Test Your Affordability Knowledge
Working Together to Improve Health Care Affordability
Green Mountain Surgery Center is the first multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center in Vermont. We strive to offer our patients impeccable, personalized service and access to convenient, high-quality, and affordable outpatient surgeries. We were recently named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for the third consecutive year.
Northwestern Medical Center offers convenient access to high value care by providing safe, quality care at lower cost. NMC has the lowest outpatient and second lowest inpatient charges among Vermont hospitals. Located in St. Albans (just 13 miles north of Milton), NMC’s comprehensive range of services includes Orthopedics, General Surgery, ENT, Urology, MRI, CT, Mammography, Laboratory testing, Urgent Care, and more.
Vermont OPEN Imaging, formerly Vermont OPEN MRI, has been locally owned and operated for over 15 years and is led by subspecialty-trained radiologists. We offer high-quality Open and Closed MRI and CT imaging with affordable, transparent pricing, as well as convenient evening and weekend hours—all delivered with, exceptional compassionate care. With thousands of reviews and an average rating of 4.9 stars, we’re proud to have earned the trust of Vermont’s providers and patients.
Vermont Diagnostic Imaging is proud to offer a wide variety of radiology services. We’re independent and radiologist-led, providing easy and quick access to high-quality CT scans, X-rays, bone density scans (DEXA), and ultrasounds, all at significant savings. You can expect quick scheduling, an easy referral process, and prompt and convenient delivery of images and reports.
As Vermont’s only local, non-profit health plan for more than 40 years, Blue Cross VT has a simple mission: make health care work better for all Vermonters. We’re driven to help you access and receive high-quality care with greater ease. As a member, you get coverage that’s focused on your health and well-being, plus support from more than 400 local staff, award-winning customer service, access to the largest network of doctors and hospitals in Vermont, and much more.
