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Far Lateral Approach To The Skull Base

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 61597

Creates the surgical route to reach a growth or other problem at the lower back of the skull base, close to where the brainstem meets the spinal cord. Working from behind and to the side, the surgeon removes bone including part of the joint at the top of the neck to open a path and to protect the artery running through it. Removing the lesion itself is billed separately.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Far Lateral Approach To The Skull Base cost?

$3,090

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,090 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $3,020 to $3,890.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,138 · 10th to 90th $427 to $6,310Professionalmedian $3,162 · 10th to 90th $2,818 to $7,413
$500$1K$2K$5K$10Kfacility $2,138professional $3,162

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
$1,412.54
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$3,090.30
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,162.28
Typical High
$3,388.44
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,754.23
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$7,943.28
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$6,165.95
Typical High
$7,079.46
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$426.58
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$6,309.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$8,317.64

Where Washington, DC 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.

Washington, DC· 37th of 51

$3,090

AK $12,023TX $1,585

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.