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Exchange Of One External Frame Strut

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 20697

Replaces a single strut on an external frame that is already in place. Imaging is included, and the adjustment is computer-assisted. The charge applies once for each strut exchanged.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Exchange Of One External Frame Strut cost?

$2,291

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $2,291 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $2,291 from a physician practice, and about $2,455 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$2,291$1,820 to $3,311
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$2,455$1,820 to $6,166

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,455 · 10th to 90th $1,380 to $8,318Professionalmedian $2,291 · 10th to 90th $1,622 to $5,370
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,455professional $2,291

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$5,623.41
Typical High
$8,709.64
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$3,801.89
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$3,090.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$4,365.16
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$4,897.79
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$3,630.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$4,365.16
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$3,981.07
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$12,302.69
Typical High
$12,302.69
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12,302.69
Median
$12,302.69
Typical High
$14,454.40

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.8 times more in California 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.

North Carolina· 26th of 51

$2,291

CA $6,310KY $1,660

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.