go back

Lengthening or Shortening Several Leg Tendons

Iowa rates for HCPCS 27686

More than one tendon in the lower leg or ankle is surgically lengthened or shortened through a single incision, to correct tightness or slack that is pulling the foot into a poor position. It is used for problems such as a foot held pointing down or turned inward. Each tendon treated is billed separately.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Lengthening or Shortening Several Leg Tendons cost?

$4,265

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,265 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,175 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,090 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,175$851 to $1,349
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,090$1,413 to $5,495

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,090 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $8,710Professionalmedian $1,175 · 10th to 90th $617 to $1,549
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $3,090professional $1,175

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
$851.14
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$7,244.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$851.14
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,445.44
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,584.89
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$8,912.51
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$5,128.61
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,445.44
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$3,235.94
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$1,995.26
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$1,174.90
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$4,365.16
Typical High
$9,772.37
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$537.03
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$1,513.56
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,230.27
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
$245.47
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$426.58
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$371.54
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$630.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$588.84

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 4.3 times more in Wisconsin than in Montana. 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

Iowa· 13th of 51

$4,265

$1,175 physician + $3,090 facility

WI $7,406MT $1,722

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.