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Neck Incision to Remove an Object in the Food Pipe

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 43020

Opens the food pipe through an incision in the neck to take out a swallowed object lodged in its upper part, then closes the opening. It is used when the object cannot be retrieved with a scope passed through the mouth, or when it is sharp or has become stuck in the wall. A drain is often left beside the repair while it heals.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Neck Incision to Remove an Object in the Food Pipe cost?

$912

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $912 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $912 from a physician practice, and about $1,023 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$912$589 to $1,175
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,023$724 to $1,413

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,023 · 10th to 90th $513 to $2,455Professionalmedian $912 · 10th to 90th $589 to $1,479
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,023professional $912

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
$562.34
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$660.69
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$1,737.80
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,584.89
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$1,584.89
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$1,096.48
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,318.26
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$1,380.38
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$870.96
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$724.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$4,365.16
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$1,047.13
11 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
$275.42
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$316.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$467.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$63.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$436.52
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$446.68
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$177.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$125.89
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$125.89
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$125.89

Where North Carolina sits

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

North Carolina· 14th of 51

$912

AK $2,188TX $398

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.