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Opening A Forefoot Joint To Drain Or Explore

Iowa rates for HCPCS 28022

Opens a joint in the forefoot surgically to look inside, wash out infection, or take out a loose fragment of bone or cartilage or a foreign object. It is used when imaging or a needle drainage is not enough to clear or identify the problem. The joint is closed afterwards and usually protected in a stiff-soled shoe or boot.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Opening A Forefoot Joint To Drain Or Explore cost?

$3,443

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,443 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $813 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,630 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$813$661 to $1,096
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,630$1,072 to $4,467

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,630 · 10th to 90th $813 to $7,413Professionalmedian $813 · 10th to 90th $490 to $1,318
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,630professional $813

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
$602.56
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,760.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$891.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,174.90
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$954.99
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$7,413.10
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$3,630.78
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$630.96
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$1,122.02
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$3,235.94
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$1,318.26
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$1,047.13
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$1,174.90
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$776.25
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
$165.96
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$380.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$575.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$114.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$75.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$537.03

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 5.3 times more in Colorado 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· 14th of 51

$3,443

$813 physician + $2,630 facility

CO $6,378MT $1,213

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.