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Needle Drainage of Abscess or Cyst

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 10160

A needle is used to puncture and drain fluid from an abscess, cyst, blister, or blood-filled pocket under the skin, without making a larger incision. It's a quick way to relieve pressure and reduce swelling from a fluid-filled pocket.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Needle Drainage of Abscess or Cyst cost?

$135

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $135 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $97.72 to $240.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,862 · 10th to 90th $135 to $4,074Professionalmedian $112 · 10th to 90th $83 to $224
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,862professional $112

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$1,862.09
Typical High
$4,073.80
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$223.87
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$851.14
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$269.15
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$302.00
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$2,398.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$269.15

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Alaska than in Delaware. 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.

Washington, DC· 44th of 51

$135

AK $331DE $112

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.