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Esophagus Stretching Over a Guide Wire

North Dakota rates for HCPCS 43226

A flexible scope is passed through the mouth into the food pipe, a guide wire is threaded through the narrowed section, and tapered dilators are passed over that wire to stretch the narrowing open. The wire keeps the dilators on a safe path through the tight segment. It relieves food sticking and difficulty swallowing.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Esophagus Stretching Over a Guide Wire cost?

$726

Typical total for the visit. In North Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $726 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $363 to the doctor who performs it, and $363 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$363$240 to $832
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$363$129 to $1,023

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $363 · 10th to 90th $129 to $1,202Professionalmedian $363 · 10th to 90th $155 to $977
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $363professional $363

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
$128.82
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$363.08
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$269.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$436.52
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$288.40
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$977.24
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
22 · Increased work
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$1,174.90
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$691.83
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$741.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$758.58
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$954.99
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$1,698.24
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$2,818.38
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,698.24
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$630.96
8 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$181.97
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$72.44
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$36.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$77.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$57.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$38.90

Where North Dakota sits

The same service costs 5.7 times more in Colorado 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

North Dakota· 50th of 51

$726

$363 physician + $363 facility

CO $4,090MT $722

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.