Endoscopy Price in the Philippines: Gastroscopy, Sedation, Biopsy & PhilHealth Costs

If your doctor says you need an endoscopy, the price can be confusing because hospitals do not quote the same thing. One hospital may quote only the endoscopy procedure. Another may bundle sedation, medicines, and room accommodation. A third may include the gastroenterologist and anesthesiologist professional fees as well.

That is why two correct endoscopy prices can differ by tens of thousands of pesos. Current directly published endoscopy prices include:

These are not directly comparable prices because their inclusions differ. So rather than asking “How much is endoscopy?” ask “What is my estimated all-in cash-out for this exact gastroscopy, including the gastroenterologist, sedation or anesthesia, biopsy/pathology if needed, and PhilHealth or HMO?”

Three Very Different “Endoscopy Prices in the Philippines”

Instead of pretending that one nationwide average exists, it is more useful to think about three real situations.

1. Government-hospital procedure charge

PGH CENDU currently lists outpatient diagnostic gastroscopy at ₱3,490. That shows how low the published procedural component can be, but it may not represent every part of your final bill.

2. Private basic gastroscopy package

De Los Santos currently lists ₱10,000 outpatient with local anesthesia or ₱15,000 outpatient with anesthesia. Professional fees are not included.

3. Premium combined GI package

MakatiMed currently lists sedated EGD + colonoscopy with one-day private-room accommodation at ₱46,200 without GI/anesthesia professional fees or ₱66,300 with those professional fees included.

Those three examples explain the Philippine endoscopy market far better than one artificial range.

What Does “Endoscopy” Mean on Your Doctor’s Request?

People often use endoscopy to mean an upper GI endoscopy. You may also see it written as gastroscopy, EGD, upper GI endoscopy and video gastroscopy. These generally refer to examining the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.

Cardinal Santos describes gastroscopy/EGD as direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure can also allow biopsy, polyp removal and control of bleeding. But “endoscopy” can also refer broadly to other scoped procedures such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasound.

Those have very different prices. For example, PGH currently publishes outpatient-pay CENDU rates of approximately:

• Diagnostic gastroscopy ₱3,490
• Diagnostic ERCP ₱6,650
• Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound ₱15,080.

Always look at the exact procedure written on the request.

The Cheapest Published Price May Not Be Your Final Bill

PGH’s current CENDU rate table lists:

Diagnostic gastroscopy

• outpatient-pay — ₱3,490
• ward/semi-private — ₱3,950
• private — ₱4,380
• suite/deluxe — ₱4,590

It also lists therapeutic gastroscopy at higher rates. Those figures are useful because they show that the procedure component itself can cost only a few thousand pesos at a government hospital.

But they should not automatically be read as “My entire endoscopy bill will be ₱3,490.” Other charges may still apply depending on the case.

Why a Private Gastroscopy Can Cost ₱10,000–₱20,000

De Los Santos Medical Center publishes one of the clearest current price of how anesthesia changes the bill. Its gastroscopy packages are:

• With local anesthesia, outpatient — ₱10,000
• With anesthesia, outpatient — ₱15,000
• With anesthesia, regular private — ₱20,000.

The package includes the following:

• endoscopy-unit services;
• medical supplies and consumables;
• anesthesia services and consumables;
• recovery-room use;
• room accommodation for the inpatient option.

But the hospital clearly states that professional fees are not yet included. That final sentence is crucial. A ₱15,000 package can still produce a higher final bill once the gastroenterologist or other professional fees are added.

What Is Usually Included and Often Costs Extra in Endoscopy?

Gastroenterologist’s professional fee

Some hospitals bundle the doctor’s fee. Others do not. De Los Santos excludes professional fees from its published gastroscopy packages.

Cardinal Santos uses a different arrangement for its gastroscopy + colonoscopy package and specifically lists gastroenterologist and anesthesiologist professional fees among the inclusions for applicable package variants.

So never assume “Package price = complete price.”

Sedation or anesthesia

An upper endoscopy may involve throat-numbing medication, IV sedation and anesthesia.

NIDDK says patients are commonly given a sedative, although some people may undergo the procedure without one; the throat may also be numbed with medicine.

A sedated procedure can involve additional medications, monitoring, recovery-room time, and anesthesia professional fees.

Biopsy

The gastroenterologist may take small pieces of tissue during the procedure. This does not automatically mean cancer is suspected.

ASGE notes that biopsy can also be used for conditions such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the stomach bacterium associated with ulcers.

Histopathology or laboratory processing

Taking a tissue sample and having a pathologist process/read it can be separate billing items. Ask “If a biopsy is taken, is the pathology fee included?”

Treatment during the scope

The price can rise if the doctor needs to do more than look.

Examples include:

• controlling bleeding;
• removing a lesion;
• dilating a narrowed area;
• removing a foreign body.

ASGE confirms that upper endoscopy can be used both to diagnose and to perform treatment.

PhilHealth’s Current Endoscopy Benefit

PhilHealth’s latest 50% adjustment of select case rates lists diagnostic upper GI endoscopy under RVS 43235 at a ₱20,553 total case rate, broken into Health Facility Fee ₱10,725 and Professional Fee ₱9,828.

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy, RVS 43239, carries the same ₱20,553 first case rate. That is the current official schedule reflected in PhilHealth Circular 2024-0037’s procedure-rate annex, rather than the older ₱13,702 amount found in earlier 2024 schedules.

More complicated procedures have higher rates

Current PhilHealth price include:

These are PhilHealth case rates, not cash handed directly to the patient. The facility files the eligible claim, and your actual cash-out can still depend on:

• hospital charges;
• other procedures;
• supplies;
• accommodation;
• additional professional services;
• PhilHealth eligibility and billing rules.

Ask the hospital’s PhilHealth desk for an estimate before the procedure.

Some patients also end up needing colon cleansing during the same course of treatment. You can check the colon cleansing price in the Philippines for its price.

Why St. Elizabeth Can Advertise a ₱4,000 Gastroscopy

St. Elizabeth Hospital currently advertises gastroscopy at ₱4,000 net of PhilHealth with OR fees, medicines, and supplies included.

It should not be compared directly with De Los Santos’s ₱10,000 private package as though both hospitals are displaying the same type of price.

One is showing a patient price after PhilHealth. Another is showing a private package that still excludes professional fees.

What If You Need Both Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy?

Combined procedures deserve their own comparison. De Los Santos currently publishes Gastroscopy + colonoscopy outpatient at ₱20,000; Gastroscopy + colonoscopy with regular private accommodation at ₱25,000.

These are basic screening packages and professional fees are excluded. At the premium end, Makati Medical Center’s current 2026 HealthHub options show how much package structure can change the bill.

MakatiMed Rider 2A

₱46,200 Includes EGD with sedation, colonoscopy with sedation, large private room for one day. But gastroenterologist and anesthesiologist professional fees are excluded.

MakatiMed Rider 2B

₱66,300 includes the same basic procedures and room plus the gastroenterologist’s professional fee, anesthesiologist’s professional fee, and first gastroenterology follow-up consultation. Polyp removal and certain additional procedures/supplies are still not included.

This tells you much more than an unsupported national range of “₱30,000–₱60,000 for endoscopy + colonoscopy.” A combined procedure can fall below or above that depending on what the package includes.

Colonoscopy Has Its Own PhilHealth Rate

If your doctor orders both scopes, colonoscopy has separate procedure codes. Current PhilHealth rates include Diagnostic colonoscopy — ₱23,634, with facility fee ₱10,530 and professional fee — ₱13,104.

Colonoscopy with biopsy carries the same first case rate. Colonoscopy with removal of a lesion by snare is currently ₱35,100. Do not simply add every full case rate yourself if two procedures happen in the same admission.

PhilHealth claim rules can affect how multiple procedures are reimbursed. Ask the facility’s PhilHealth unit to calculate your case.

The lower digestive tract is examined with a related camera procedure. You can check the colonoscopy cost.

H. pylori Testing May Be Done During Endoscopy

H. pylori is a bacterium associated with conditions including peptic ulcers. ASGE notes that tissue obtained during an upper endoscopy can be used to test for H. pylori. So before the procedure, you can ask:

“If the doctor takes a biopsy for H. pylori or pathology, what will that add to the bill?”

Do not assume that all endoscopy packages automatically include every laboratory test performed on biopsy material.

Endoscopy vs Abdominal Ultrasound

Some patients with abdominal symptoms undergo ultrasound before or alongside endoscopy. But they do different things. An upper endoscopy looks directly at the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

An abdominal ultrasound looks at organs and structures from outside the body using sound waves.

If your doctor ordered an ultrasound rather than EGD, see our Ultrasound Price Philippines guide for current prices by scan type. One is not automatically a cheaper substitute for the other. The appropriate test depends on what the doctor is trying to investigate.

Preparing for Gastroscopy

Your doctor or endoscopy unit should give you specific instructions. NIDDK says patients may be asked not to eat or drink for up to eight hours before upper GI endoscopy so the upper digestive tract can be examined safely and clearly.

ASGE similarly advises an empty stomach and says the exact fasting timing should come from the doctor. Do not assume every hospital uses exactly the same cutoff. Follow your appointment instructions.

Tell the Doctor About Your Medicines Before the Procedure

Before EGD, tell the medical team about blood thinners, aspirin, NSAIDs, diabetes medicines, blood-pressure medicine, vitamins and supplements, and iron.

NIDDK notes that some medicines may need temporary adjustment, particularly anticoagulants, but the decision should be made with the healthcare professional.

Do not stop a prescribed blood thinner yourself just because you have an endoscopy booked.

MakatiMed’s current procedure guidance likewise tells patients taking blood-thinning medication to consult their doctor before scheduling gastroscopy or colonoscopy.

If You Are Sedated, Plan Your Ride Home

Sedation creates a practical expense that does not appear on a hospital rate card. NIDDK advises arranging transportation home because the sedative or anesthesia needs time to wear off. That can mean planning for a companion and transport time away from work.

You may also spend time in recovery after the procedure. NIDDK says upper GI endoscopy itself commonly takes around 10–20 minutes, but patients can remain at the hospital or outpatient center afterward while sedation wears off.

Will Your HMO Cover Endoscopy?

Many HMO plans can cover medically necessary diagnostic procedures, but the details are plan-specific. Before booking, ask your HMO, “Is EGD/gastroscopy covered under my exact plan?” Then ask separately about:

• gastroenterologist PF;
• anesthesiologist PF;
• sedation;
• biopsy;
• histopathology;
• hospital room;
• pre-procedure laboratory work.

If you’re still choosing private coverage, our Best HMO in the Philippines guide compares current individual, family, senior and high-limit options. Get authorization before the procedure if your HMO requires an LOA.

Senior and PWD Discounts Can Depend on the Package

Another useful point from your second draft is that you should not assume a package price will receive another discount automatically. Cardinal Santos’s current January 2026 gastroscopy + colonoscopy package states:

• PhilHealth covered;
• SC/PWD and other discounts are not applicable to that particular package;
• package rates apply only to uncomplicated cases;
• a complicated procedure moves to itemized billing based on actual utilization.

So ask the billing office “Is this already a discounted package, and how do my senior/PWD and PhilHealth benefits apply to this exact quote?” Do that before paying rather than calculating the discount yourself.

Before Booking, Get These Numbers in Writing

This is the section I would actually save on my phone before calling hospitals.

The last line is the number to compare.

What Should You Budget?

For a straightforward diagnostic upper endoscopy, the current evidence does not support saying every patient needs ₱15,000–₱40,000.

A government hospital can publish a procedure charge of only a few thousand pesos. A current private basic gastroscopy package may begin around ₱10,000–₱15,000 before separate professional fees. A sedated private procedure with:

• room accommodation;
• gastroenterologist;
• anesthesiologist;
• biopsy;
• pathology;
• treatment during the scope

can cost substantially more.

And if both gastroscopy and colonoscopy are performed, current published private packages range widely depending on exactly what is bundled. The best way to budget is therefore:

Get an itemized estimate showing your expected cash-out after PhilHealth and HMO—not just the hospital’s headline “endoscopy price.”

That prevents the most common surprise bill.

Hospital choice changes the bill a lot for procedures like this. You can check the laparoscopy cost in the Philippines in our dedicated guide.

How CareCost PH Checked These Prices

CareCost PH reviewed current direct hospital price lists and package pages rather than relying mainly on general medical-cost roundups.

Sources included:

• UP–Philippine General Hospital;
• De Los Santos Medical Center;
• St. Elizabeth Hospital;
• Cardinal Santos Medical Center;
• Makati Medical Center;
• PhilHealth’s current adjusted procedure case-rate schedule.

Preparation and biopsy information was checked against NIDDK and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

We separated procedure charge from hospital package, professional fees, anesthesia, and biopsy/pathology from the net-of-PhilHealth price because they are not the same thing. For our general research process, see How We Research Prices.

Prices checked: October 5, 2026.

Medical note: This guide explains prices and billing only. Whether you need upper GI endoscopy, sedation, biopsy, or treatment during the procedure should be decided with your healthcare professional.