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Tonsil and Adenoid Removal, Under Age 12

Colorado rates for HCPCS 42820

This surgery removes both the tonsils and adenoids, tissues at the back of the throat and behind the nose that can become chronically infected or enlarged enough to block breathing or cause repeated infections. This version applies to children younger than 12 years old. It's one of the most common surgeries performed on children.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Tonsil and Adenoid Removal, Under Age 12 cost?

$417

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $417 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $398 from a physician practice, and about $6,761 from a hospital or other facility.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$398$331 to $490
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$6,761$2,692 to $10,233

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6,761 · 10th to 90th $1,288 to $13,804Professionalmedian $398 · 10th to 90th $302 to $603
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $6,761professional $398

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
$380.19
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$8,912.51
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$478.63
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,165.95
Median
$9,549.93
Typical High
$16,218.10
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$616.60
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$5,754.40
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$524.81
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$660.69
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$588.84
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$5,011.87
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$489.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$7,585.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$588.84
6 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
$141.25
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$69.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$34.67
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$245.47

Where Colorado sits

The same service costs 5.5 times more in Alaska than in Utah. 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.

Colorado· 21st of 51

$417

AK $1,202UT $219

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.