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Tonsil Removal, Age 12 and Over

New Jersey rates for HCPCS 42826

Surgical removal of the tonsils, the two pads of tissue at the back of the throat, in a patient aged twelve or older. It is done through the open mouth under general anesthesia with no cuts on the outside, for repeated throat infections, ongoing tonsil trouble or blocked breathing during sleep. The adenoids are left in place.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Tonsil Removal, Age 12 and Over cost?

$3,546

Typical total for the visit. In New Jersey, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,546 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $234 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,311 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$234$182 to $288
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,311$2,138 to $6,761

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,311 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $10,471Professionalmedian $234 · 10th to 90th $158 to $380
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $3,311professional $234

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
$234.42
Median
$6,760.83
Typical High
$10,964.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$309.03
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$288.40
AmeriHealth
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$8,317.64
Typical High
$17,378.01
AmeriHealth
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$776.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$3,715.35
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$436.52
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$407.38
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$13,489.63
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$407.38
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$6,760.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$263.03
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
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$190.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$38.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$25.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$177.83

Where New Jersey sits

The same service costs 6.5 times more in Connecticut than in Montana. 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

New Jersey· 14th of 51

$3,546

$234 physician + $3,311 facility

CT $5,223MT $805

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.