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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Maryland 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?

$3,236

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,236 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $2,399 to $3,715.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $562 · 10th to 90th $302 to $1,380Professionalmedian $3,467 · 10th to 90th $2,951 to $6,607
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $562professional $3,467

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$3,630.78
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$3,630.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$2,691.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$8,317.64
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$5,623.41
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$1,230.27
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$7,943.28
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$4,786.30
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
$1,584.89
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$1,621.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$660.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,454.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$2,290.87

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 7.8 times more in Alaska than in Texas. 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.

Maryland· 39th of 51

$3,236

AK $12,882TX $1,660

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.