go back

Skull Base Exposure Through the Bone Behind the Ear

South Dakota 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?

$6,214

Typical total for the visit. In South Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,214 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $5,012 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$5,012$3,715 to $5,370
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,202$759 to $3,236

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,202 · 10th to 90th $759 to $4,169Professionalmedian $5,012 · 10th to 90th $2,344 to $6,457
$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $1,202professional $5,012

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,344.23
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$4,365.16
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$6,309.57
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,311.31
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$4,168.69
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,677.35
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$6,606.93
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$3,235.94
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$17,378.01
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,248.07
Median
$5,248.07
Typical High
$5,370.32
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,897.79
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$4,897.79
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$4,677.35
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$1,202.26
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$5,623.41
Typical High
$6,456.54
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,365.16
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$5,370.32

Where South Dakota 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

South Dakota· 22nd of 51

$6,214

$5,012 physician + $1,202 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.