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Strengthening A Weakened Bone At The Shoulder

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 23491

Places metal such as a rod, plate, pins, or wires, sometimes together with bone cement, into a weakened bone at the shoulder to support it before it breaks. It is used when a tumor or other disease has eaten into the bone and a fracture looks likely.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Strengthening A Weakened Bone At The Shoulder cost?

$1,122

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,122 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,023 to $2,399.

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 $4,677 · 10th to 90th $1,413 to $19,055Professionalmedian $1,122 · 10th to 90th $955 to $2,951
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,677professional $1,122

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
$1,071.52
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,606.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,096.48
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,122.02
Typical High
$12,302.69
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$2,951.21
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$2,089.30
Typical High
$2,398.83
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,754.23
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$42,657.95
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$794.33
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$2,951.21
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
$489.78
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$549.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$218.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$831.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$109.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$776.25

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 7.8 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· 38th of 51

$1,122

AK $4,169TX $537

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.