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External Frame With Computer-Guided Adjustment

Minnesota 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?

$5,217

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,217 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,399 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,818 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$2,399$1,820 to $3,236
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,818$1,995 to $4,677

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,818 · 10th to 90th $1,148 to $13,804Professionalmedian $2,399 · 10th to 90th $1,148 to $4,365
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20K$50Kfacility $2,818professional $2,399

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
$1,148.15
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,148.15
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$812.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,230.27
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$891.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$831.76
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,918.31
Median
$30,199.52
Typical High
$70,794.58
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$3,890.45
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$3,019.95
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$5,623.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$4,786.30
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$4,677.35
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$4,570.88
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$6,918.31
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$10,000.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$4,365.16
2 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
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$758.58
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$2,344.23

Where Minnesota sits

The same service costs 8.5 times more in Wyoming than in Kentucky. 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

Minnesota· 28th of 51

$5,217

$2,399 physician + $2,818 facility

WY $22,644KY $2,656

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.