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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Pennsylvania 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?

$4,030

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,030 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,236 to the doctor who performs it, and $794 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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$3,236$3,020 to $3,981
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$794$479 to $3,020

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $794 · 10th to 90th $240 to $6,310Professionalmedian $3,236 · 10th to 90th $2,692 to $5,495
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $794professional $3,236

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
$831.76
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$8,511.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$3,235.94
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$2,290.87
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$28,183.83
Typical High
$56,234.13
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,011.87
Median
$5,011.87
Typical High
$56,234.13
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$4,897.79
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$676.08
Typical High
$2,290.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,456.54
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,786.30
Median
$4,786.30
Typical High
$5,495.41
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$6,606.93
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$8,709.64
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$3,235.94
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$2,290.87
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$6,165.95
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,090.30
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$3,311.31
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,090.30
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$3,311.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$4,265.80
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$4,168.69
Typical High
$6,606.93
10 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
$1,348.96
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$1,621.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$645.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,454.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$323.59
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$1,621.81
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$645.65
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,454.71
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$489.78
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$323.59

Where Pennsylvania 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

Pennsylvania· 48th of 51

$4,030

$3,236 physician + $794 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.