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Pituitary Gland Or Tumor Removal Through Skull

Iowa rates for HCPCS 61546

Removes the pituitary gland, or a tumor growing from it, by opening the skull and working down to the base of the brain where the gland sits. This route is chosen when the growth extends beyond the reach of an approach through the nose, for instance when it presses on the optic nerves or spreads sideways. It is major neurosurgery under general anesthesia, with intensive care monitoring and a hospital stay afterward.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Pituitary Gland Or Tumor Removal Through Skull cost?

$4,677

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,677 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4,898 from a physician practice, and about $3,388 from a hospital or other facility.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4,898$3,311 to $5,495
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$3,388$1,514 to $5,248

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $3,388 · 10th to 90th $603 to $6,607Professionalmedian $4,898 · 10th to 90th $2,512 to $6,918
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $3,388professional $4,898

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
$3,090.30
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$3,090.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,897.79
Median
$5,248.07
Typical High
$6,456.54
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,137.96
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,456.54
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$3,890.45
Typical High
$6,606.93
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$16,218.10
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,128.61
Median
$5,248.07
Typical High
$6,456.54
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,466.84
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$7,079.46
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$6,918.31
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$3,715.35
Typical High
$6,918.31
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,466.84
Median
$4,466.84
Typical High
$5,248.07

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 7.6 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.

Iowa· 5th of 51

$4,677

AK $9,550TX $1,259

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.