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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 July 2026.

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

$12,589

Typical facility fee. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12,589 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $8,710 to $17,378.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $12,882 · 10th to 90th $4,898 to $22,909Professionalmedian $2,630 · 10th to 90th $1,738 to $4,786
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $12,882professional $2,630

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,981.07
Median
$10,000.00
Typical High
$22,908.68
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$8,511.38
Median
$13,803.84
Typical High
$23,988.33
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$6,309.57
Typical High
$12,589.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,570.40
Median
$2,570.40
Typical High
$2,570.40
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,951.21
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$5,011.87
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$14,791.08
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$4,677.35
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$17,378.01

Where California sits

The same service costs 20.9 times more in Maine than in Wyoming. 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.

California· 6th of 50

$12,589

ME $26,915WY $1,288

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.