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Removal of a Tumor Beside the Brainstem

North Carolina 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 October 2026.

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

$6,912

Typical total for the visit. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,912 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $5,888 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,023 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$5,888$4,571 to $7,586
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,023$575 to $3,631

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,023 · 10th to 90th $380 to $7,762Professionalmedian $5,888 · 10th to 90th $3,715 to $9,120
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $1,023professional $5,888

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
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$5,248.07
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$3,630.78
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,786.30
Median
$6,760.83
Typical High
$10,000.00
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$29,512.09
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,073.80
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$9,772.37
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$4,365.16
Typical High
$14,125.38
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,365.16
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$5,888.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$5,011.87
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,548.13
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$8,912.51
11 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,137.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$851.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$3,235.94
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$645.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$426.58
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$3,019.95
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$5,248.07
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$2,089.30
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$1,479.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$1,479.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$1,479.11

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 9.9 times more in Maine than in Washington. 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

North Carolina· 32nd of 51

$6,912

$5,888 physician + $1,023 facility

ME $37,607WA $3,801

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.