Removal of a Tumor Beside the Brainstem

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 61520

Removal of a growth sitting in the angle between the cerebellum and the brainstem, where the nerves for hearing, balance, and facial movement enter the brain. Bone at the back of the skull is taken away to reach the area, and the tumor is separated from those nerves under a microscope. Growths here cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear, unsteadiness, or facial weakness.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Removal of a Tumor Beside the Brainstem cost?

$13,567

Typical total for the visit. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $13,567 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $5,623 to the doctor who performs it, and $7,943 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

41% physician fee59% 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 51 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	$5,623	$3,981 to $8,128
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center	The hospital or surgery center	$7,943	$4,074 to $14,125

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7,943 · 10th to 90th $2,188 to $22,387Professionalmedian $5,623 · 10th to 90th $3,311 to $12,023

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 $1,288.25 Median $4,897.79 Typical High $12,302.69	Facility	Global	$1,288.25	$4,897.79	$12,302.69
BCBS Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $4,786.30 Median $13,489.63 Typical High $28,183.83	Facility	Global	$4,786.30	$13,489.63	$28,183.83
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $3,801.89 Median $10,471.29 Typical High $28,183.83	Facility	Global	$3,801.89	$10,471.29	$28,183.83
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier 62 · Two surgeons Typical Low $3,801.89 Median $3,801.89 Typical High $3,801.89	Facility	62 · Two surgeons	$3,801.89	$3,801.89	$3,801.89
United Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $870.96 Median $3,235.94 Typical High $9,772.37	Facility	Global	$870.96	$3,235.94	$9,772.37

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 4.8 times more in Wisconsin than in Maryland. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Physician feeFacility fee

WI $23,704MD $4,926

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.