go back

Breast Reconstruction With A Tissue Expander

Kentucky rates for HCPCS 19357

Rebuilds a breast by placing a temporary balloon-like expander under the skin or chest muscle. Over the following weeks or months salt water is added through a small port to stretch the tissue gradually, making room for a permanent implant later. It may be done at the time of the original breast surgery or as a separate operation afterwards, and the later exchange for a permanent implant is charged separately.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Breast Reconstruction With A Tissue Expander cost?

$4,297

Typical total for the visit. In Kentucky, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,297 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,413 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,884 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,413$1,230 to $1,778
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,884$1,514 to $5,495

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,884 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $12,023Professionalmedian $1,413 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $2,291
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $2,884professional $1,413

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
$977.24
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$3,630.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,862.09
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$1,318.26
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$12,022.64
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,949.84
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$2,884.03
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,230.27
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$309.03
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$269.15
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$8,912.51
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$1,698.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,862.09
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$7,762.47
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,862.09
Typical High
$8,912.51
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$2,691.53
6 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
$478.63
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$645.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$977.24
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$676.08
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$912.01

Where Kentucky sits

The same service costs 6.3 times more in Wyoming than in Hawaii. 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.

Physician feeFacility fee

Kentucky· 47th of 51

$4,297

$1,413 physician + $2,884 facility

WY $21,505HI $3,422

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.