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Swapping a Tissue Expander for a Permanent Implant

California rates for HCPCS 11970

Removes a temporary expander that has been stretching the skin and pocket over a period of months and puts a permanent implant in its place through the same incision. It is the second stage of a staged reconstruction, most often after breast surgery. The operation is usually shorter than the first stage and is often done as a day case.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Swapping a Tissue Expander for a Permanent Implant cost?

$8,913

Typical facility fee. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $8,913 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $6,166 to $12,882.

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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $9,120 · 10th to 90th $3,467 to $17,783Professionalmedian $646 · 10th to 90th $479 to $1,445
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $9,120professional $646

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
$2,818.38
Median
$6,760.83
Typical High
$18,197.01
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$7,762.47
Typical High
$21,877.62
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6,025.60
Median
$10,471.29
Typical High
$17,782.79
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$11,481.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$891.25
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$724.44
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$1,584.89
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20,892.96
Median
$45,708.82
Typical High
$45,708.82
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$1,047.13
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6,760.83
Median
$12,022.64
Typical High
$25,118.86

Where California sits

The same service costs 31.6 times more in Indiana 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.

California· 8th of 51

$8,913

IN $16,982DE $537

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.