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Chest Camera Procedure With Tissue Biopsy

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 32609

Passes a camera through a small incision between the ribs to look inside the chest and take a tissue sample for testing. The lung on that side is partly deflated during the procedure so the surgeon can see. A drainage tube is often left in place afterwards.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Chest Camera Procedure With Tissue Biopsy cost?

$3,970

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,970 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $339 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,631 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$339$269 to $407
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,631$2,512 to $9,772

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,631 · 10th to 90th $1,660 to $15,849Professionalmedian $339 · 10th to 90th $229 to $468
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $3,631professional $339

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
$302.00
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$21,877.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$302.00
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$13,803.84
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$524.81
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$562.34
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$691.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$371.54
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$457.09
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$24,547.09
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$549.54
10 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
$123.03
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$60.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$234.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$89.13
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$63.10
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$63.10
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$63.10

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 13.0 times more in Colorado than in Montana. 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· 31st of 51

$3,970

$339 physician + $3,631 facility

CO $10,613MT $815

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.