Surgical removal of an abnormal tunnel-like connection, called a fistula, that has formed between a milk duct and the skin near the nipple. It is done when the opening keeps draining fluid, becomes infected, or fails to heal, often after a prior breast infection or abscess. The surgeon removes the fistula tract and the affected section of duct through a small incision near the nipple or areola.
Rates data updated July 2026.
How much does Excision of a Milk Duct Fistula cost?
$389
Typical physician fee. In Rhode Island, July 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $389 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $316 to $537.
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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.
How much rates vary
Facilitymedian $3,715 · 10th to 90th $2,570 to $8,710Professionalmedian $380 · 10th to 90th $234 to $724
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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.
Rates by insurance carrier
Insurance Carrier
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$3,981.07
Facility
Global
$2,398.83
$3,235.94
$3,981.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$616.60
Professional
Global
$234.42
$354.81
$616.60
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$758.58
Professional
Global
$331.13
$457.09
$758.58
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$776.25
Professional
Global
$269.15
$524.81
$776.25
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,570.40
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$8,709.64
Facility
Global
$2,570.40
$4,677.35
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$758.58
Professional
Global
$281.84
$446.68
$758.58
Where Rhode Island sits
The same service costs 11.5 times more in California than in Rhode Island. 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.