go back

Opening A Forefoot Joint To Drain Or Explore

Kentucky 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?

$2,023

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $2,023 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $363 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,660 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$363$269 to $525
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,660$708 to $2,455

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,660 · 10th to 90th $398 to $4,169Professionalmedian $363 · 10th to 90th $229 to $631
$50$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,660professional $363

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
$281.84
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$851.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$489.78
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$467.74
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$4,265.80
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$616.60
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$2,691.53
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$501.19
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$1,949.84
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$2,951.21
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$173.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$3,890.45
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$676.08
12 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$281.84
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$416.87
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$56.23
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$389.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$97.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$371.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$346.74

Where Kentucky 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

Kentucky· 42nd of 51

$2,023

$363 physician + $1,660 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.