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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

Iowa rates for HCPCS 62161

A narrow telescope is passed through a small opening in the skull into the fluid-filled chambers inside the brain, so the surgeon can divide scar bands and open windows between chambers or into a cyst. This lets trapped fluid flow freely again and relieves the pressure it has been causing. A drainage tube may be placed, replaced, or taken out during the same procedure.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces cost?

$6,195

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6,195 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $3,311 to the doctor who performs it, and $2,884 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$3,311$2,138 to $3,715
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$2,884$1,514 to $4,169

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,884 · 10th to 90th $603 to $6,607Professionalmedian $3,311 · 10th to 90th $1,622 to $4,571
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $2,884professional $3,311

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
$2,089.30
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$2,089.30
Typical High
$2,089.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$4,265.80
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$2,238.72
Typical High
$4,365.16
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$2,951.21
Typical High
$4,897.79
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,737.80
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$10,964.78
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,467.37
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$4,265.80
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$4,073.80
Typical High
$4,677.35
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$6,918.31
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,584.89
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$4,570.88
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$3,548.13

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 15.5 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

Iowa· 15th of 51

$6,195

$3,311 physician + $2,884 facility

ME $34,449MD $2,222

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.