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Lung Volume Reduction Surgery For Emphysema

California rates for HCPCS 32491

Removes the most damaged, over-inflated parts of the lung in severe emphysema so that the healthier lung tissue and the diaphragm can work more efficiently. The chest is opened to reach the lungs, and any procedure on the lining of the lung is included. It is offered to carefully selected people whose breathlessness persists despite medication and rehabilitation.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Lung Volume Reduction Surgery For Emphysema cost?

$12,303

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12,303 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $1,862 from a physician practice, and about $15,488 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 12 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$1,862$1,413 to $3,467
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$15,488$11,749 to $21,380

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $15,488 · 10th to 90th $5,012 to $28,840Professionalmedian $1,862 · 10th to 90th $1,175 to $6,761
$100$500$2K$10K$50Kfacility $15,488professional $1,862

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
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$22,908.68
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$7,585.78
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$9,772.37
Median
$15,848.93
Typical High
$28,840.32
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$4,786.30
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$4,466.84
Typical High
$8,912.51
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$3,467.37
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,513.56
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$4,073.80
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,905.46
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$3,235.94
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$8,912.51
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$11,220.18
Median
$12,589.25
Typical High
$12,589.25
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,137.96
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$2,137.96
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$3,090.30
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$3,890.45
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4,677.35
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$4,677.35
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$1,698.24
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$17,378.01
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$4,168.69

Where California sits

The same service costs 8.5 times more in California than in Delaware. 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.

California· 1st of 51

$12,303

CA $12,303DE $1,445

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.