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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Colorado 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 October 2026.

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

$17,753

Typical total for the visit. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $17,753 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $4,571 to the doctor who performs it, and $13,183 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$4,571$3,802 to $6,026
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$13,183$3,020 to $16,596

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $13,183 · 10th to 90th $1,000 to $21,380Professionalmedian $4,571 · 10th to 90th $3,162 to $7,079
$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $13,183professional $4,571

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
$3,019.95
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$8,912.51
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$5,495.41
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9,772.37
Median
$15,135.61
Typical High
$25,703.96
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$7,585.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$676.08
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$4,786.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,311.31
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$6,165.95
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$7,413.10
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$4,168.69
Typical High
$6,165.95
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$6,165.95
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$5,754.40
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$7,762.47
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$7,413.10
6 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
$1,513.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,819.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$741.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$2,754.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$457.09
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$549.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$371.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,137.96
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$2,570.40

Where Colorado sits

The same service costs 10.8 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

Colorado· 4th of 51

$17,753

$4,571 physician + $13,183 facility

ME $36,725WA $3,399

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.