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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Rhode Island 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?

$5,093

Typical total for the visit. In Rhode Island, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,093 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,890 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,202 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$3,890$3,467 to $5,370
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,202$575 to $3,715

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,202 · 10th to 90th $372 to $6,457Professionalmedian $3,890 · 10th to 90th $3,162 to $6,026
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,202professional $3,890

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
$3,715.35
Median
$3,715.35
Typical High
$3,981.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,801.89
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$3,801.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$2,884.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$575.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$380.19
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$380.19
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$7,079.46
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,737.80
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$4,570.88
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$776.25
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$660.69
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$676.08
Typical High
$1,202.26
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,365.16
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$6,760.83
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$426.58
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$6,456.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$5,623.41
3 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
$1,905.46
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$1,905.46
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$776.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$2,691.53

Where Rhode Island 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

Rhode Island· 42nd of 51

$5,093

$3,890 physician + $1,202 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.