How much do stitches cost at the ER? 2026 hospital price data
Real 2026 list and cash prices for ER stitches (CPT 12001, 12002, 12011) at four hospitals. One listed a small facial repair at $13,538, about 66x Medicare's $204.98.
The codes for stitches
Simple wound repair is billed by location and length. 12001 is simple stitches on the scalp, neck, arms, legs or trunk for a wound up to 2.5 cm. 12002 is the same for 2.6–7.5 cm. 12011 is simple stitches on the face, ears, eyelids, nose or lips up to 2.5 cm. Medicare's 2026 hospital outpatient payment for all three is $204.98.
What four hospitals list (2026 price files)
CPT 12011, small facial wound:
• NYU Langone Tisch: $13,538 list (about 66x Medicare), $2,572.22 cash
• OHSU Hospital: $808.50 list, $525.52 cash
• Duke University Hospital: $549 list, $148.23 cash
• UCHealth Yampa Valley: $399 list, $359.10 cash
CPT 12001 at NYU Langone Tisch was $6,346.39 list. These are list prices, not what insurers or most patients pay. Method and sources.
The rest of the bill
Stitches are rarely billed alone. Expect an ER facility visit charge (often 99282–99284), a physician fee, and sometimes a tetanus shot or supplies. The facility visit can be larger than the repair itself.
What to check
Make sure the length and location match your records (a 2 cm cut shouldn't be billed as 12002), that there's only one repair code per wound unless more were closed, and that the visit level fits a simple laceration. A tissue-adhesive closure (skin glue) can also be billed as a repair, so ask how it was coded.
If you were uninsured
Ask for the hospital's discounted cash price and financial assistance policy. Across our study, posted cash prices were a median 3.3x Medicare, far below the 8.0x list-price median. Scan your bill to compare each line with Medicare.
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How much are stitches at the ER without insurance?
At four hospitals we studied, list prices for small facial stitches ranged from $399 to $13,538, before the ER visit charge. Ask for the cash price.
What does Medicare pay for stitches?
$204.98 for simple repairs 12001, 12002 and 12011 at a hospital outpatient department in 2026.
Is urgent care cheaper for stitches?
Often, because urgent care centers that aren't hospital-owned don't charge an ER facility fee. Prices vary, so ask first.
Educational information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines change, so verify with official sources. More guides: How to dispute a medical bill · How to request an itemized medical bill (free letter template) · No Surprises Act dispute · Medical billing error checklist · Hospital charity care · ER bill too high? What to check and how to fight it · BillRebuttal vs. hiring a medical bill advocate · BillRebuttal vs. Dollar For · CPT 99285 cost · Hospital facility fees explained · How much does a CT scan cost at the hospital? 2026 price file data · Hospital cash price vs list price