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Neck Incision to Remove an Object in the Food Pipe

Virginia 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?

$631

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $631 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $617 from a physician practice, and about $1,738 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$617$562 to $676
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,738$741 to $3,631

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,738 · 10th to 90th $550 to $5,888Professionalmedian $617 · 10th to 90th $513 to $759
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $1,738professional $617

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
$676.08
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$14,125.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$630.96
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$676.08
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,715.35
Typical High
$4,265.80
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$537.03
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$758.58
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$478.63
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$120.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$104.71
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$724.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$1,659.59
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$831.76
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$891.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$912.01
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$630.96
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$1,023.29
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$1,230.27
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$3,630.78
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$912.01
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$5,888.44
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$912.01
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
$316.23
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$134.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$501.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$100.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$467.74

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 37th of 51

$631

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.