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First Fluid Tap Through An Infant's Soft Spot

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 61000

A needle is passed through the soft spot or a suture line on a baby's skull to draw off fluid or blood that has collected between the brain and its covering. This is the first such tap, relieving pressure on the developing brain and providing a sample for testing. It is done at the bedside and takes only a few minutes.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does First Fluid Tap Through An Infant's Soft Spot cost?

$126

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $126 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $117 to $324.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,585 · 10th to 90th $372 to $5,129Professionalmedian $126 · 10th to 90th $107 to $490
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,585professional $126

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$1,862.09
Typical High
$4,073.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$707.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$309.03
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$269.15
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$5,128.61
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$323.59

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 4.4 times more in Alaska than in New York. 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.

Washington, DC· 49th of 51

$126

AK $513NY $117

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.