go back

Open Biopsy of a Neck or Lower Back Vertebra

Vermont rates for HCPCS 20251

Through an incision, the surgeon exposes the body of a vertebra in the neck or the lower back and takes a sample of bone from it for laboratory examination. It is used when imaging shows infection, a growth, or unexplained destruction of the bone and a diagnosis is needed. Open sampling is chosen when a needle sample is not possible or has not given an answer.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Open Biopsy of a Neck or Lower Back Vertebra cost?

$676

Typical physician fee. In Vermont, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $676 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $513 to $759.

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 $2,188 · 10th to 90th $468 to $8,318Professionalmedian $631 · 10th to 90th $490 to $851
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $2,188professional $631

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$501.19
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$8,317.64
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$758.58
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$676.08
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$2,187.76
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$1,023.29

Where Vermont sits

The same service costs 5.6 times more in Alaska than in Utah. 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.

Vermont· 18th of 51

$676

AK $1,698UT $302

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.