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Circumcision

We know that bringing a baby into your home means making a world of new decisions. When you have a son, you will need to choose whether to have him circumcised.

Please Note: We are only accepting current patients for circumcisions at this time.

Age

Circumcisions are normally performed within one month after birth. Circumcisions after that time need the performing doctor’s approval. Babies will also need to have received their Vitamin K injection at birth.

Location

Your doctor will recommend the best setting for the circumcision, depending on your son’s individual case. Circumcisions are an out-patient procedure, performed by the following providers:

Baker Center: Dr. Cogley
Federal Way: Dr. Apostol
Gig Harbor: Dr. Edstrom
James Center: Dr. Kirschner

Technique

Our providers have performed hundreds of circumcisions and are highly experienced with these procedures. We offer circumcisions using the PlastiBell® method, which uses a small plastic ring that remains around the tip of the penis for approximately 5–7 days to help minimize bleeding and support healing. We also have one provider who offers the Gomco method, which uses a specialized clamp during the procedure and does not leave a device in place afterward. A circumcision care information sheet and procedure-specific instructions will be provided after the procedure. Caregiver presence during the procedure may vary based on family and provider preference.

Pain Management

Our providers take pain control very seriously. There are a number of methods we can use to minimize your son’s pain. This may include applying numbing cream, injecting numbing liquid and/or feeding the infant sugar-water. Our goal is to make the circumcision as pain-free as possible. Your doctor will use the technique best suited for your child.

Watch Video

Circumcision Procedure and After Care

Cost

The fee for a circumcision is $625. Many private insurance plans have a circumcision benefit. Most Washington Medicaid State Plans do not have an elective circumcision benefit. Please contact your insurance company before your appointment to see if they cover the circumcision procedure. If they cover it, we will bill your insurance. You will be responsible for any remaining balance after the insurance is billed.

If your insurance does not cover this procedure: you will be asked to fill out a form stating that you will be responsible for the charge and will pay at the time of service. In this case, we will not bill your insurance. You will receive a 60% discount, which will bring the total cost down to $250, due at the time of service. (Please note that we cannot accept cash or checks)
If your insurance will cover a portion of the procedure: you will be billed for the remaining balance after MultiCare submits the claim to your insurance. No discount is available.