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Permanent Windpipe Opening With Skin Flaps

Maryland rates for HCPCS 31610

Creates a lasting opening from the front of the neck into the windpipe so a person can breathe through it. Flaps of skin are turned in and stitched to the edges of the windpipe so the opening keeps its shape and stays open on its own rather than relying on a tube to hold it. It is used when breathing will need to bypass the mouth and throat long term.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Permanent Windpipe Opening With Skin Flaps cost?

$1,047

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,047 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $955 to $1,738.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,905 · 10th to 90th $589 to $3,981Professionalmedian $1,047 · 10th to 90th $692 to $1,862
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,905professional $1,047

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,174.90
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,047.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$5,011.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$812.83
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$2,238.72
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,737.80
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$2,570.40
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$707.95
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$2,344.23
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$1,380.38
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
$512.86
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$234.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$870.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$812.83

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 6.9 times more in Alaska than in Texas. 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.

Maryland· 40th of 51

$1,047

AK $3,890TX $562

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.