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External Frame With Computer-Guided Adjustment

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 20696

An external frame is attached to a limb by pins and wires passed through the bone in more than one direction, holding the bone from outside the skin. A computer program then works out a schedule of small daily adjustments to the frame, gradually moving the bone into the correct position over the following weeks. Imaging and the follow-up adjustment calculations are included.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does External Frame With Computer-Guided Adjustment cost?

$1,288

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,288 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,148 to $2,630.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,074 · 10th to 90th $1,660 to $26,915Professionalmedian $1,259 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $3,311
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,074professional $1,259

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
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,606.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,202.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$912.01
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$912.01
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$17,782.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$3,311.31
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,754.23
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,737.80
Median
$7,943.28
Typical High
$27,542.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$1,584.89
Typical High
$3,311.31

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 7.6 times more in Alaska than in Texas. 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.

Washington, DC· 36th of 51

$1,288

AK $4,786TX $631

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.