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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

California rates for HCPCS 61521

Removes a tumor sitting in the midline at the base of the skull, in the lower rear compartment that holds the cerebellum and brainstem. A section of skull bone at the back of the head is taken out to reach it, and the tumor is separated from the surrounding brain and nerves. It is a demanding operation because of how tightly packed that area is.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base cost?

$12,023

Typical facility fee. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12,023 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $8,318 to $16,596.

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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $12,589 · 10th to 90th $4,677 to $22,387Professionalmedian $3,467 · 10th to 90th $2,138 to $6,761
$100.0$1.0K$10.0K$100.0Kfacility $12,589professional $3,467

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
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$22,908.68
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7,943.28
Median
$13,489.63
Typical High
$22,387.21
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$8,128.31
Typical High
$16,595.87
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$3,235.94
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$3,801.89
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$7,079.46
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$19,054.61
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$6,456.54
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$17,378.01

Where California sits

The same service costs 20.9 times more in Maine than in Wyoming. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

California $12,023 · 6th of 50
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.