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Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping During Surgery

Ohio rates for HCPCS 38900

During a cancer operation the surgical team traces and identifies the first lymph node or nodes that fluid draining from the tumor would reach, known as the sentinel node, so that node can be found and checked for cancer spread. A dye injected at the site may be used to trace the path, and tracing methods such as a radioactive tracer may be used instead or as well. The mapping is billed in addition to the main operation.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping During Surgery cost?

$953

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $953 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $158 to the doctor who performs it, and $794 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 10 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$158$141 to $204
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$794$251 to $3,020

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $794 · 10th to 90th $126 to $10,233Professionalmedian $158 · 10th to 90th $123 to $282
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $794professional $158

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
$245.47
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$10,964.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$2,630.27
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$190.55
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$281.84
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$10,715.19
Typical High
$18,620.87
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$234.42
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$346.74
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$37.15
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$32.36
Aultcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$245.47
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$169.82
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$177.83
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$2,691.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$295.12
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$5,248.07
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$346.74
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$223.87
SummaCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$2,398.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$323.59
1 more rate 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
$102.33
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$223.87

Where Ohio sits

The same service costs 17.8 times more in Vermont 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.

Physician feeFacility fee

Ohio· 15th of 51

$953

$158 physician + $794 facility

VT $5,439DE $306

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.