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Surgery For A Stiff, Arthritic Big-Toe Joint

Kentucky rates for HCPCS 28291

Treats a big-toe joint that has become stiff and painful from arthritis. The surgeon trims away the bone spurs that block the joint, clears out the worn and damaged tissue inside it, and releases the tightened joint lining so the toe can bend again when walking. It is done when stiffness and pain persist despite stiff-soled shoes, inserts and injections.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Surgery For A Stiff, Arthritic Big-Toe Joint cost?

$3,874

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,874 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $562 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,311 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$562$468 to $759
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,311$851 to $6,026

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,311 · 10th to 90th $562 to $10,715Professionalmedian $562 · 10th to 90th $398 to $1,000
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $3,311professional $562

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
$407.38
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$831.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$724.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,584.89
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$12,022.64
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$562.34
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$831.76
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$91.20
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$77.62
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$8,128.31
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$741.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$5,888.44
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$457.09
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$3,235.94
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$436.52
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$977.24
Median
$1,862.09
Typical High
$7,943.28
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$1,230.27
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
$204.17
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$416.87
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$630.96
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$346.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$524.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$69.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$489.78

Where Kentucky sits

The same service costs 9.3 times more in Colorado 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.

Physician feeFacility fee

Kentucky· 43rd of 51

$3,874

$562 physician + $3,311 facility

CO $13,624WV $1,466

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.