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Laparoscopic Varicocele Vein Ligation

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 55550

This is a minimally invasive surgery to tie off enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum, a condition called a varicocele, using small incisions and a camera-guided instrument inserted into the abdomen. It's typically done to relieve pain, swelling, or fertility concerns caused by the abnormal veins. Because it's performed laparoscopically, recovery is usually quicker than with an open surgical approach.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Laparoscopic Varicocele Vein Ligation cost?

$550

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $550 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $490 from a physician practice, and about $3,890 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$490$389 to $617
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$3,890$2,570 to $12,589

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,890 · 10th to 90th $1,738 to $20,417Professionalmedian $490 · 10th to 90th $316 to $724
$100$1K$10Kfacility $3,890professional $490

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
$549.54
Median
$15,135.61
Typical High
$24,547.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$549.54
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$6,309.57
Typical High
$19,498.45
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$380.19
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$616.60
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$933.25
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$1,737.80
Typical High
$2,511.89
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$660.69
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$724.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$6,606.93
Typical High
$23,988.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$870.96
12 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
$208.93
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$109.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$416.87
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$389.05
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$1,230.27
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$398.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$112.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$112.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$112.20

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 9.5 times more in Oklahoma 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.

South Carolina· 41st of 51

$550

OK $3,236UT $339

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.