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Needle Biopsy Without Imaging, First Site

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 10021

This is a fine-needle biopsy in which a thin needle is used to draw out a small sample of cells from a lump or area of concern for laboratory analysis, done by feel rather than with the help of ultrasound or other imaging. It covers the first site sampled during a visit. Additional sites, if sampled, are handled separately.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Needle Biopsy Without Imaging, First Site cost?

$151

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $151 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $158 from a physician practice, and about $117 from a hospital or other facility.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$158$100 to $219
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$117$87.10 to $204

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $117 · 10th to 90th $65 to $891Professionalmedian $158 · 10th to 90th $71 to $339
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $117professional $158

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$5,248.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$147.91
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$120.23
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$346.74
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$380.19
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$154.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$234.42
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$154.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$208.93
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$1,096.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$213.80
11 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$50.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$10.72
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$19.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$7.94
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$14.79
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$10.00
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$77.62
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$138.04
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$54.95
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$38.02
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$38.02
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$38.02

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 2.8 times more in Alaska than in Pennsylvania. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

North Carolina· 7th of 51

$151

AK $257PA $93.33

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.