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Swapping a Tissue Expander for a Permanent Implant

Pennsylvania 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?

$4,786

Typical facility fee. In Pennsylvania, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,786 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,660 to $7,244.

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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,786 · 10th to 90th $661 to $8,511
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,786

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
$562.34
Median
$5,011.87
Typical High
$8,317.64
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$26,915.35
AmeriHealth
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29,512.09
Median
$29,512.09
Typical High
$29,512.09
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$9,549.93
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$57,543.99
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,715.35
Median
$15,488.17
Typical High
$25,703.96
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$3,715.35
Median
$15,135.61
Typical High
$38,904.51
Independence Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$37,153.52
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$8,709.64
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$6,456.54
Typical High
$26,915.35
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$3,388.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,454.71
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$21,379.62

Where Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania· 22nd of 51

$4,786

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.