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Removal Of A Midline Tumor At The Skull Base

Virginia 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?

$9,656

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9,656 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,631 to the doctor who performs it, and $6,026 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$3,631$3,162 to $4,266
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$6,026$2,692 to $14,454

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6,026 · 10th to 90th $1,259 to $24,547Professionalmedian $3,631 · 10th to 90th $2,951 to $5,370
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $6,026professional $3,631

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
$3,311.31
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$14,125.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$4,365.16
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,456.54
Median
$15,488.17
Typical High
$28,840.32
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$4,570.88
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$2,884.03
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$741.31
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$645.65
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$4,570.88
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$5,495.41
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$4,168.69
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,265.80
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$5,370.32
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$6,025.60
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,801.89
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$3,801.89
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,737.80
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$11,481.54
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$7,413.10
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$6,309.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,630.27
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$6,165.95
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
$1,621.81
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$1,819.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$724.44
Typical High
$724.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$2,691.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$549.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$363.08
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$2,511.89

Where Virginia 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

Virginia· 16th of 51

$9,656

$3,631 physician + $6,026 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.