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Removal Of A Windpipe Tumor

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 31785

Removes a growth from the windpipe, taking out the affected length of airway and joining the healthy ends back together so breathing passes through freely. It is done for a tumor narrowing or blocking the trachea. Airway management during and after the operation is a major part of the care.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Removal Of A Windpipe Tumor cost?

$5,815

Typical total for the visit. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,815 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,549 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.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,549$1,230 to $2,291
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$4,266$1,549 to $6,026

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,266 · 10th to 90th $955 to $8,318Professionalmedian $1,549 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $2,818
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $4,266professional $1,549

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
$1,047.13
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$10,471.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,288.25
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$8,317.64
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$2,818.38
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$4,365.16
Typical High
$7,244.36
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$2,818.38
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$8,912.51
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,995.26
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$2,630.27
11 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
$524.81
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$630.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$794.33
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$954.99
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$190.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$891.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$1,513.56
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$602.56
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$426.58
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$426.58
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$426.58

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.6 times more in Alaska than in Kentucky. 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

North Carolina· 12th of 51

$5,815

$1,549 physician + $4,266 facility

AK $11,283KY $2,440

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.