Sinus Surgery to Open the Cheek Sinus

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 31256

Using a thin telescope passed up the nostril, the surgeon enlarges the natural drainage opening of the maxillary sinus, the air pocket behind the cheek, so mucus can escape and the sinus can ventilate properly. No cuts are made on the face. It is used for repeated or long-standing sinus infection that has not settled with medication.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Sinus Surgery to Open the Cheek Sinus cost?

$4,529

Typical total for the visit. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,529 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $263 to the doctor who performs it, and $4,266 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

6% physician fee94% facility fee

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 60 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the bill	Who charges it	Typical	Range
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it	The doctor who performs it	$263	$186 to $363
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center	The hospital or surgery center	$4,266	$1,778 to $7,586

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,266 · 10th to 90th $331 to $12,023Professionalmedian $263 · 10th to 90th $155 to $589

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier	Facility/Professional	Modifier	Typical Low	Median	Typical High
Aetna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $263.03 Median $3,467.37 Typical High $10,715.19	Facility	Global	$263.03	$3,467.37	$10,715.19
Aetna Setting Facility Modifier 50 · Both sides Typical Low $645.65 Median $1,949.84 Typical High $7,585.78	Facility	50 · Both sides	$645.65	$1,949.84	$7,585.78
BCBS Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $2,089.30 Median $5,888.44 Typical High $13,803.84	Facility	Global	$2,089.30	$5,888.44	$13,803.84
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $269.15 Median $1,445.44 Typical High $15,848.93	Facility	Global	$269.15	$1,445.44	$15,848.93
United Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $1,513.56 Median $4,265.80 Typical High $10,000.00	Facility	Global	$1,513.56	$4,265.80	$10,000.00

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 21.2 times more in Wisconsin than in Maryland. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Physician feeFacility fee

WI $7,975MD $377

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.