Opens the elbow joint through an incision so the surgeon can look inside, wash out infected fluid, or take out a loose fragment or foreign object. It is most often needed for a joint infection, where pus has to be flushed out quickly before it destroys the cartilage. The joint is irrigated and then closed, sometimes over a drain.
Rates data updated October 2026.
How much does Opening the Elbow Joint to Drain or Explore cost?
$724
Typical physician fee. In Vermont, October 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $724 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $603 to $871.
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 $2,188 · 10th to 90th $575 to $3,631Professionalmedian $708 · 10th to 90th $562 to $1,000
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
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$575.44
Professional
None
$562.34
$575.44
$575.44
BCBS Vermont
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$1,737.80
Professional
None
$707.95
$707.95
$1,737.80
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$3,630.78
Facility
None
$575.44
$575.44
$3,630.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96
Professional
None
$524.81
$870.96
$870.96
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$794.33
Professional
None
$501.19
$660.69
$794.33
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$2,187.76
Facility
None
$2,187.76
$2,187.76
$2,187.76
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$676.08
Typical High
$1,148.15
Professional
None
$549.54
$676.08
$1,148.15
Where Vermont sits
The same service costs 6.2 times more in Alaska than in Utah. 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.