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Brainstem Nerve Tract Sectioning Surgery

California rates for HCPCS 61480

This is a neurosurgical operation that opens the skull to reach the brainstem, where the surgeon carefully cuts specific nerve tracts to interrupt problematic nerve signals. It is a highly specialized procedure typically used to treat severe, otherwise unmanageable symptoms such as intractable pain. This is a major operation performed by a neurosurgeon, usually requiring a hospital stay for recovery.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Brainstem Nerve Tract Sectioning Surgery cost?

$13,490

Typical physician fee. In California, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $13,490 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $13,490 to $13,490.

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

Professionalmedian $13,490 · 10th to 90th $13,490 to $13,490
$5K$10Kprofessional $13,490

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
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$4,073.80
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$1,737.80
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13,489.63
Median
$13,489.63
Typical High
$13,489.63

Where California sits

The same service costs 537.0 times more in Oklahoma than in Mississippi. 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.

California· 4th of 34

$13,490

OK $13,490MS $25.12

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.