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Open Biopsy or Removal of Groin Lymph Nodes

Alabama rates for HCPCS 38531

Through an incision in the groin, one or more lymph nodes from the groin and upper thigh region are taken out and sent to a laboratory. This is done to find out whether cancer, infection or another disease is present in the nodes. It is an open procedure rather than a needle sample, so a whole node can be examined.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Open Biopsy or Removal of Groin Lymph Nodes cost?

$4,647

Typical total for the visit. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,647 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $479 to the doctor who performs it, and $4,169 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$479$417 to $631
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$4,169$1,820 to $4,266

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,169 · 10th to 90th $1,096 to $4,266Professionalmedian $479 · 10th to 90th $316 to $692
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $4,169professional $479

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
$616.60
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$1,905.46
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$457.09
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$691.83
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$354.81
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,168.69
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$4,265.80
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$6,309.57
Median
$6,309.57
Typical High
$6,309.57
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$645.65
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$1,584.89
Typical High
$2,238.72
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$616.60
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$5,248.07
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$645.65

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 5.4 times more in Wisconsin 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

Alabama· 7th of 51

$4,647

$479 physician + $4,169 facility

WI $7,004KY $1,288

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.