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Biopsy of Upper Throat Behind the Nose

Pennsylvania rates for HCPCS 42804

This procedure takes a small tissue sample from the upper part of the throat located behind the nose, using an indirect technique such as a small scope or mirror rather than a larger open surgical approach. It is used to investigate symptoms such as nasal blockage, bleeding, or a visible growth in this area. The tissue sample is examined in a laboratory to check for infection, inflammation, or abnormal cells.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Biopsy of Upper Throat Behind the Nose cost?

$1,523

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,523 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $174 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,349 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 11 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$174$120 to $214
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,349$490 to $2,291

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,349 · 10th to 90th $251 to $4,074Professionalmedian $174 · 10th to 90th $112 to $245
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $1,349professional $174

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
$134.90
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$6,165.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$234.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$46.77
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$34.67
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$11.22
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$23.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$162.18
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$61.66
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$4,365.16
Typical High
$56,234.13
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$177.83
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$302.00
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$2,398.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$269.15
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$467.74
Geisinger
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$3,162.28
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$363.08
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$18,620.87
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$6,165.95
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$234.42
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$117.49
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$46.77
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$173.78
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$34.67
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$11.22
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$23.44
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$162.18
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$398.11
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$1,862.09
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$208.93
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$4,265.80
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$251.19

Where Pennsylvania sits

The same service costs 9.8 times more in Colorado than in North Dakota. 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

Pennsylvania· 34th of 51

$1,523

$174 physician + $1,349 facility

CO $4,589ND $469

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.