Kidney Stone Removal Cost in the Philippines [2026 Guide]

Quick Answer: Kidney stone removal in the Philippines costs roughly ₱15,000 to ₱150,000+ in 2026, depending on the procedure. ESWL (shockwave lithotripsy) — the non-surgical option — runs about ₱15,000–₱60,000 per session (one published study put the median charge for a single ESWL session near ₱57,800). Ureteroscopy (URS) with laser lithotripsy and PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) are more involved surgical procedures costing roughly ₱40,000–₱150,000 depending on the hospital and stay. PhilHealth covers these procedures — lithotripsy carries a case rate reported around ₱30,000, deducted from your bill, though many patients still face a meaningful out-of-pocket balance (one study found a median out-of-pocket of about ₱37,800 for ESWL after benefits). Always confirm the current case rate for your exact procedure on PhilHealth's official case rate search.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Kidney Stone Removal Cost Comparison Table
• Procedure Types Explained
• Government vs Private Hospital Cost
• What Affects the Price
• PhilHealth Coverage for Kidney Stone Removal
• HMO Coverage
• Where to Get Kidney Stone Treatment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Introduction

Kidney stones are common in the Philippines, and when a stone is too large to pass on its own — or causes pain, infection, or blocked urine flow — a urologist will recommend a procedure to remove or break it up. The right procedure depends on the size, location, and hardness of the stone, and each option has a very different price tag.

There are three main approaches: ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy), a non-surgical procedure that breaks stones with shockwaves; ureteroscopy (URS), where a thin scope is passed up the urinary tract to remove or laser the stone; and PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy), a surgical procedure for large stones done through a small incision in the back. ESWL is the cheapest and least invasive; PCNL is the most involved and expensive.

All three are PhilHealth-covered, so a case rate is deducted from your bill. This guide breaks down the 2026 cost ranges for each procedure, explains what drives the price, and shows how PhilHealth and HMO coverage reduce what you actually pay. All peso figures are ranges drawn from published Philippine hospital packages, urology clinic listings, and a Philippine Journal of Urology study on shockwave lithotripsy costs — always get a written quotation from your specific hospital and urologist.

Kidney Stone Removal Cost Comparison Table

ESWL is the lowest-cost, least-invasive option but works best for smaller stones and may require more than one session. URS and PCNL cost more but handle larger or harder stones in fewer sittings.

Procedure Types Explained

ESWL — Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (₱15,000–₱60,000 per session)

ESWL uses focused shockwaves from outside the body to break a kidney stone into small fragments that you then pass in your urine. It is non-surgical and usually outpatient — no incision, no scope. It is best for smaller-to-medium stones in favorable locations.

Package rates commonly start around ₱15,000–₱20,000 per session at some facilities, but the full charge for a single session can be considerably higher; one Philippine Journal of Urology study reported a median charge of about ₱57,800 for a single ESWL session, with significant variation by facility. Some stones need more than one session to clear, which multiplies the cost — repeat sessions are often priced lower than the first.

Best for: Small to medium stones; patients who want to avoid surgery.

Ureteroscopy (URS) with Laser Lithotripsy (₱40,000–₱120,000)

In URS, a thin scope (ureteroscope) is passed through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter or kidney. The stone is then removed directly or fragmented with a laser. It is minimally invasive but done under anesthesia in an operating room, often with a temporary double-J stent left in place afterward. URS handles stones that ESWL cannot, including harder stones and those lodged in the ureter.

Best for: Ureteral stones, harder stones, or cases where ESWL has failed.

PCNL — Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (₱29,000–₱150,000)

PCNL is a surgical procedure for large or complex kidney stones (including staghorn stones). A small incision is made in the back, and instruments are passed directly into the kidney to remove the stone, sometimes with a "mini-PCNL" variation. It typically requires a 2–3 day hospital stay, surgeon and anesthesia fees, lithotripsy equipment, and often a stent — which is why it sits at the top of the cost range.

Best for: Large (over ~2 cm), staghorn, or multiple stones.

Open / Laparoscopic Surgery (₱60,000–₱150,000+)

Traditional open or laparoscopic stone surgery is now uncommon, reserved for complex anatomy or cases not suited to the methods above. It is the most invasive and generally the most expensive, with the longest recovery.

Government vs Private Hospital Cost

Government and teaching hospitals offer the lowest out-of-pocket cost because facility, OR, and room fees are subsidized. For PhilHealth members admitted to a ward/basic accommodation, the case rate plus the facility's subsidies can bring the bill down substantially — in many cases close to ₱0 for the covered procedure, though you may need to supply some medicines or wait for a scheduled slot. Government hospitals with a urology/stone service can perform ESWL, URS, and PCNL.

Private hospitals and dedicated "Stone Centers" charge more but offer faster scheduling, modern equipment, and all-in packages. Several large private hospitals run dedicated stone centers that bundle the procedure, room, and professional fees. Expect private ESWL packages in the ₱15,000–₱60,000+ range per session and URS/PCNL packages from roughly ₱40,000 to ₱150,000 depending on the hospital tier, room type, and whether a stent is needed.

The trade-off is the familiar one: government hospitals minimize cost, private hospitals minimize wait and maximize convenience. PhilHealth's case rate is deducted in both settings.

What Affects the Price

• Procedure type — ESWL is cheapest; URS and PCNL cost more; open surgery costs the most.
• Stone size, number, and location — larger, multiple, or harder stones need more involved (pricier) procedures.
• Number of sessions — ESWL may need repeat sessions, each adding cost.
• Hospital tier and location — Metro Manila premium centers cost more than provincial or government hospitals.
• Room type and length of stay — outpatient ESWL is cheaper than a multi-day PCNL admission.
• Stent placement — a double-J stent (and later removal) adds ₱5,000–₱20,000.
• Surgeon's (urologist's) professional fee — varies by specialist and hospital.
• Anesthesia — required for URS and PCNL; adds to the total.
• Pre-operative work-up — labs, urinalysis, KUB ultrasound or CT stonogram, and clearance add cost. See our ultrasound cost guide and CT scan cost guide for imaging prices.
• Complications or infection — can require additional treatment and a longer stay.

PhilHealth Coverage for Kidney Stone Removal

Kidney stone procedures are included in PhilHealth's list of procedure case rates, so a fixed peso amount is deducted from your hospital bill when you use your benefits at an accredited facility. The lithotripsy case rate has been reported at around ₱30,000, split between a health facility fee and a professional fee.

Important points:

• The case rate is a fixed deduction, not full coverage. ESWL, URS, and PCNL often cost more than the case rate, so you typically still owe a balance. A Philippine Journal of Urology study found that even after PhilHealth and other deductions, the median out-of-pocket cost for ESWL was about ₱37,800 — a reminder to budget beyond the case rate.
• At a government hospital ward bed, the case rate plus subsidies can cover most or all of the covered procedure, dramatically reducing what you pay.
• PhilHealth periodically adjusts case rates (for example, Circular 2024-0037 raised a set of selected case rates by 50%), so the exact figure for your specific procedure code may differ. Confirm the current amount on PhilHealth's official case rate search or with the hospital's PhilHealth desk before admission.
• To use the benefit, you must be an active PhilHealth member (or qualified dependent) with the required documents, and the procedure must be at a PhilHealth-accredited facility.

For a full explanation of member eligibility, required documents, and how case rates and Zero Balance Billing work, read our complete PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide.

HMO Coverage

If you have an HMO plan, kidney stone removal may be covered subject to your policy terms:

• Pre-approval/LOA — most HMOs require a Letter of Authorization and an accredited urologist and hospital.
• Annual benefit limit — a PCNL or multi-session ESWL can use a large share of your maximum benefit limit.
• Pre-existing condition rules — stones diagnosed before enrollment may fall under waiting periods or exclusions in the first year.
• Coordination with PhilHealth — the HMO usually pays after the PhilHealth case rate is applied, so use both.

Have your HMO and the hospital billing office coordinate the LOA and the PhilHealth deduction before the procedure to avoid surprise charges.

Where to Get Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney stone removal is handled by urologists at hospitals with a urology service or a dedicated stone center. Your options:

• Government and teaching hospitals — lowest cost; may have longer waits for elective scheduling.
• Private hospitals and dedicated stone centers — faster scheduling, modern lithotripsy and endoscopy equipment, all-in packages; higher cost.
• Urology clinics affiliated with hospitals — your urologist consults and works you up, then schedules the procedure at the affiliated hospital.

Start with a urologist, who will image the stone (ultrasound or CT stonogram) and recommend the appropriate procedure. Then request written quotations and confirm your PhilHealth and HMO coverage with the billing desk. To find a urologist or hospital near you, find a clinic on ClinicFinderPH and filter by specialty and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does kidney stone removal cost in the Philippines?

Kidney stone removal in the Philippines costs roughly ₱15,000 to ₱150,000+ in 2026, depending on the procedure. ESWL (shockwave lithotripsy), the non-surgical option, runs about ₱15,000–₱60,000 per session, while ureteroscopy and PCNL are surgical procedures costing roughly ₱40,000–₱150,000 depending on hospital tier, room type, length of stay, and whether a stent is needed. Government hospitals cost less than private ones, and PhilHealth's case rate (reported around ₱30,000 for lithotripsy) is deducted from the bill in both settings.

How much does PhilHealth cover for kidney stone removal?

PhilHealth covers kidney stone procedures under its case rate system. The lithotripsy case rate has been reported at around ₱30,000, deducted from your bill and split between the facility fee and the professional fee. It is a fixed deduction, not full payment — many patients still face a meaningful balance (one study found a median out-of-pocket of about ₱37,800 for ESWL after benefits). At a government hospital ward bed, the case rate plus subsidies can cover most or all of the covered procedure. Because PhilHealth adjusts case rates over time, confirm the current figure for your exact procedure code on PhilHealth's official case rate search before admission.

What is the cheapest way to remove a kidney stone?

For small to medium stones, ESWL (shockwave lithotripsy) is usually the cheapest and least invasive option, with sessions starting around ₱15,000–₱20,000 at some facilities — though some stones need more than one session. Having the procedure at a government or teaching hospital as a PhilHealth ward-bed patient lowers the out-of-pocket cost further. The catch is that ESWL is not suitable for every stone; very large or hard stones may require URS or PCNL, which cost more but clear the stone more reliably.

What is the difference between ESWL, ureteroscopy, and PCNL?

ESWL breaks stones with shockwaves from outside the body — non-surgical, outpatient, best for smaller stones, and sometimes needing repeat sessions. Ureteroscopy (URS) passes a thin scope up the urinary tract to remove or laser the stone — minimally invasive, done under anesthesia, often with a temporary stent, and able to handle harder or ureteral stones. PCNL is a surgical procedure for large or staghorn stones, done through a small incision in the back with a 2–3 day hospital stay. Cost rises in that order, and your urologist chooses based on the stone's size, location, and hardness.

Does kidney stone removal require hospital admission?

ESWL is usually an outpatient procedure with no overnight stay. Ureteroscopy may be done as day surgery or with a short stay. PCNL is a surgical procedure that typically requires a 2–3 day hospital admission. Longer stays raise the total cost, so the planned length of stay is a key line item to confirm in your quotation.

Will I need more than one ESWL session?

Possibly. ESWL breaks the stone into fragments that you pass over the following days to weeks, and larger or harder stones may not clear in a single session. Your urologist will follow up with imaging to check whether the stone has cleared. Repeat sessions add cost, though they are often priced lower than the first, so ask about the per-session and repeat-session rates when budgeting.

Does HMO cover kidney stone removal?

Many HMO plans cover kidney stone procedures with pre-approval (a Letter of Authorization), an accredited urologist, and an accredited hospital. The procedure draws against your annual maximum benefit limit, and stones diagnosed before you enrolled may fall under pre-existing-condition rules in your first year. Have your HMO and the hospital billing office coordinate the LOA and the PhilHealth case rate deduction before the procedure.

Conclusion

Kidney stone removal in the Philippines in 2026 ranges from about ₱15,000 for an ESWL session to ₱150,000+ for a PCNL at a premium private hospital. ESWL is the cheapest and least invasive but may need repeat sessions; ureteroscopy and PCNL cost more but handle larger, harder stones in fewer sittings. PhilHealth's case rate (reported around ₱30,000 for lithotripsy) is deducted from your bill wherever you go, government hospitals lower the out-of-pocket cost further, and an HMO can absorb much of the remaining balance — though budget beyond the case rate, since real out-of-pocket costs are often higher.

Before deciding, consult a urologist for imaging and a recommendation, request written quotations from one or two hospitals, and confirm your PhilHealth and HMO coverage with their billing desks. For related cost and coverage reading, see our PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide, our ultrasound cost guide, and our CT scan cost guide.

Ready to compare urologists and hospitals near you? Find a clinic on ClinicFinderPH to check locations, specialties, and contact details.