go back

Removal of Foreign Object From Muscle or Tendon

Maryland rates for HCPCS 20520

This procedure removes a foreign object, such as a splinter, glass fragment, or piece of metal, that has become lodged in a muscle or the tissue sheath surrounding a tendon. It's the more straightforward version of this kind of removal, used when the object is relatively easy to locate and access. A small incision is typically made to reach and extract the object.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Removal of Foreign Object From Muscle or Tendon cost?

$178

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $178 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $155 to $234.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $316 · 10th to 90th $158 to $1,047Professionalmedian $174 · 10th to 90th $141 to $302
$100$200$500$1Kfacility $316professional $174

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$234.42
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$173.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$588.84
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$331.13
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$416.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$1,047.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$389.05
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$380.19
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
$72.44
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$114.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$46.77
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$34.67
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$23.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$162.18

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 3.5 times more in Alaska than in Florida. 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.

Maryland· 50th of 51

$178

AK $603FL $174

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.