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Open Biopsy of Deep Neck Lymph Node

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 38510

A surgeon makes an incision to access and remove a lymph node located deep in the neck for examination under a microscope. This helps determine whether the node shows signs of infection, inflammation, or cancer. Because the node lies deeper in the tissue, this requires a more involved surgical approach than sampling a node just under the skin.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Open Biopsy of Deep Neck Lymph Node cost?

$2,462

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $2,462 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $724 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,738 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$724$550 to $1,047
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,738$851 to $2,818

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,738 · 10th to 90th $525 to $5,248Professionalmedian $724 · 10th to 90th $457 to $1,288
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $1,738professional $724

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
$407.38
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$5,248.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$724.44
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$524.81
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$5,495.41
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,445.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$3,162.28
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$457.09
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$1,258.93
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$2,187.76
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$851.14
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
$416.87
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$1,148.15
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
$204.17
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$389.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$363.08
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$4,265.80
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$1,412.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$2,238.72
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$741.31

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.4 times more in Wisconsin than in West Virginia. 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· 33rd of 51

$2,462

$724 physician + $1,738 facility

WI $6,411WV $1,178

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.