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Draining a Deep Abscess in the Upper Arm or Elbow

California rates for HCPCS 23930

An incision is made to open and drain a deep collection of pus or trapped blood in the upper arm or elbow region, below the skin and fat layers. The cavity is washed out and often left with a drain or packing so it can continue to empty. Antibiotics are usually given as well when infection is the cause.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Draining a Deep Abscess in the Upper Arm or Elbow cost?

$3,981

Typical facility fee. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,981 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $2,570 to $6,166.

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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,365 · 10th to 90th $871 to $12,882Professionalmedian $389 · 10th to 90th $204 to $741
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $4,365professional $389

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
$1,659.59
Median
$5,623.41
Typical High
$16,982.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$4,466.84
Typical High
$12,882.50
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,918.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$2,344.23
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$660.69
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$741.31
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7,079.46
Median
$7,079.46
Typical High
$19,498.45
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$645.65
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$7,413.10
Typical High
$15,135.61

Where California sits

The same service costs 18.2 times more in Indiana than in West Virginia. 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.

California· 6th of 50

$3,981

IN $6,310WV $347

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.