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Skull Base Surgical Approach

Kentucky rates for HCPCS 61596

This service is a surgical approach used to reach a tumor or growth located deep at the base of the skull, an area that is otherwise difficult to access. It is performed as one stage of a larger operation, opening a pathway so the growth itself can be removed in the same procedure or a following one. This kind of surgery generally requires a team with specialized head and neck or neurosurgical training.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Skull Base Surgical Approach cost?

$5,141

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,141 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,570 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,570 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$2,570$2,239 to $3,311
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,570$759 to $9,550

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,570 · 10th to 90th $457 to $13,490Professionalmedian $2,570 · 10th to 90th $1,995 to $4,169
$100$1K$10Kfacility $2,570professional $2,570

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
$1,995.26
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$2,691.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$2,691.53
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,244.36
Median
$10,715.19
Typical High
$19,498.45
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,570.40
Typical High
$3,388.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$5,128.61
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$2,238.72
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$537.03
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$478.63
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$3,548.13
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$3,162.28
Typical High
$3,715.35
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$3,715.35
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$14,125.38
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$8,317.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,398.83
Median
$3,235.94
Typical High
$4,466.84
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
$1,000.00
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,348.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$537.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,621.81
Typical High
$2,041.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$407.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$269.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$1,905.46

Where Kentucky sits

The same service costs 13.0 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

Kentucky· 27th of 51

$5,141

$2,570 physician + $2,570 facility

ME $35,671WA $2,745

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.