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Skull Base Exposure Through the Bone Behind the Ear

California rates for HCPCS 61595

Surgical opening through the temporal bone behind the ear to reach the base of the skull toward the back of the head. Bone of the mastoid is drilled away and structures in the path, such as the large draining vein and the facial nerve, are freed and protected so the deep area can be reached safely. This covers the work of creating that path; treating the tumor or other problem found there is a separate part of the operation.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Skull Base Exposure Through the Bone Behind the Ear cost?

$10,503

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $10,503 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,090 to the doctor who performs it, and $7,413 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 12 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$3,090$2,291 to $5,129
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$7,413$1,445 to $15,849

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7,413 · 10th to 90th $631 to $61,660Professionalmedian $3,090 · 10th to 90th $2,042 to $16,982
$100$1K$10K$100Kfacility $7,413professional $3,090

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
$2,398.83
Median
$8,128.31
Typical High
$19,054.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$4,265.80
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8,511.38
Median
$14,454.40
Typical High
$28,840.32
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,691.53
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$9,120.11
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$12,302.69
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$5,888.44
Central California Alliance for Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$2,754.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$10,000.00
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$6,309.57
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,951.21
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$5,623.41
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16,982.44
Median
$16,982.44
Typical High
$19,054.61
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,467.37
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$3,467.37
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$851.14
Median
$151,356.12
Typical High
$251,188.64
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$6,456.54
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,585.78
Median
$7,585.78
Typical High
$7,585.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$11,748.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,862.09
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$7,585.78
8 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
$1,023.29
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,174.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$407.38
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$478.63
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$1,778.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$354.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,659.59
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$8,511.38
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,174.90
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$3,548.13

Where California sits

The same service costs 11.6 times more in Maine than in Maryland. 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

California· 8th of 51

$10,503

$3,090 physician + $7,413 facility

ME $35,595MD $3,074

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.