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Exploratory Opening of the Skull

Alaska 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?

$4,677

Typical facility fee. In Alaska, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,677 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $2,344 to $10,715.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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 3 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,677 · 10th to 90th $1,862 to $35,481
$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,677

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. 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
Global
Typical Low
$5,128.61
Median
$16,595.87
Typical High
$35,481.34
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$10,471.29
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$10,471.29

Where Alaska sits

The same service costs 20.9 times more in Maine than in Wyoming. 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.

Alaska· 20th of 50

$4,677

ME $26,915WY $1,288

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.