Exploratory Opening of the Skull

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 61304

The skull is opened so the brain can be inspected directly when the cause of a problem cannot be established any other way, for example after a severe head injury or when bleeding or swelling is suspected. This version covers the large upper part of the brain. Whatever is found can then be dealt with during the same operation.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Exploratory Opening of the Skull cost?

$9,756

Typical total for the visit. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9,756 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,512 to the doctor who performs it, and $7,244 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

26% physician fee74% facility fee

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 50 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the bill	Who charges it	Typical	Range
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it	The doctor who performs it	$2,512	$1,862 to $3,631
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center	The hospital or surgery center	$7,244	$3,020 to $13,804

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7,244 · 10th to 90th $1,698 to $20,893Professionalmedian $2,512 · 10th to 90th $1,549 to $5,623

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier	Facility/Professional	Modifier	Typical Low	Median	Typical High
Aetna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $1,445.44 Median $4,365.16 Typical High $12,022.64	Facility	Global	$1,445.44	$4,365.16	$12,022.64
BCBS Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $4,677.35 Median $13,489.63 Typical High $28,183.83	Facility	Global	$4,677.35	$13,489.63	$28,183.83
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $1,621.81 Median $4,265.80 Typical High $12,302.69	Facility	Global	$1,621.81	$4,265.80	$12,302.69
United Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $870.96 Median $3,090.30 Typical High $9,772.37	Facility	Global	$870.96	$3,090.30	$9,772.37

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 7.2 times more in Wisconsin than in Maryland. 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

Touch or drag across the chart to see any state's rate.

WI $18,865MD $2,611

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.