Takes out a piece of skull bone, or the plate that was put in its place, most often because it has become infected, has not healed, or no longer sits properly. The scalp is opened over the area, the piece is removed, and the wound is closed. Rebuilding the gap, if needed, is done as a later operation.
Rates data updated July 2026.
How much does Removal of a Skull Bone Flap or Plate cost?
$4,467
Typical facility fee. In Missouri, July 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,467 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $2,692 to $5,888.
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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.
How much rates vary
Facilitymedian $4,467 · 10th to 90th $1,514 to $8,511
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
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$4,570.88
Typical High
$7,762.47
Facility
Global
$933.25
$4,570.88
$7,762.47
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,238.72
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$9,549.93
Facility
Global
$2,238.72
$4,677.35
$9,549.93
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$10,471.29
Facility
Global
$54.95
$1,479.11
$10,471.29
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$416.87
Facility
AS · PA/NP assist
$218.78
$416.87
$416.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$10,471.29
Facility
Global
$1,230.27
$2,818.38
$10,471.29
Where Missouri sits
The same service costs 14.8 times more in Maine than in West Virginia. 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.