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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Kentucky 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?

$6,253

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,253 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,162 to the doctor who performs it, and $3,090 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$3,162$2,818 to $4,365
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$3,090$741 to $9,550

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,090 · 10th to 90th $457 to $13,490Professionalmedian $3,162 · 10th to 90th $2,455 to $5,248
$100$1K$10Kfacility $3,090professional $3,162

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
$2,630.27
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$3,467.37
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,630.27
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$3,467.37
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,244.36
Median
$10,715.19
Typical High
$19,498.45
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$4,466.84
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,754.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$380.19
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$691.83
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$602.56
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$4,677.35
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$4,168.69
Typical High
$4,897.79
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$512.86
Typical High
$5,248.07
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$4,466.84
Typical High
$18,197.01
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$8,317.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,090.30
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$5,754.40
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
$1,318.26
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,737.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$691.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$2,570.40
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$524.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$346.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,862.09
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$2,398.83

Where Kentucky 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

Kentucky· 30th of 51

$6,253

$3,162 physician + $3,090 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.