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Placing Markers In The Chest For Radiotherapy Aiming

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 32553

Small metal markers are placed through the skin into or beside a target in the chest, using imaging to guide the needle. The markers show up clearly on scans during radiation treatment so the beam can be aimed accurately at a target that moves with breathing. One or several markers are placed in the same session.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Placing Markers In The Chest For Radiotherapy Aiming cost?

$1,401

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,401 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $468 to the doctor who performs it, and $933 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$468$245 to $708
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$933$646 to $3,467

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $933 · 10th to 90th $513 to $6,166Professionalmedian $468 · 10th to 90th $209 to $933
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $933professional $468

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
$208.93
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$21,877.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$602.56
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$5,754.40
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$933.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$1,778.28
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$831.76
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$933.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$758.58
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$891.25
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$8,511.38
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$977.24
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
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$457.09
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$467.74
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$186.21
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$131.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$131.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$131.83

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.0 times more in Colorado 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

South Carolina· 40th of 51

$1,401

$468 physician + $933 facility

CO $4,915KY $974

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.