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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

Illinois 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?

$3,913

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,913 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,291 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,622 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$2,291$1,660 to $2,884
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,622$708 to $4,169

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,622 · 10th to 90th $513 to $15,136Professionalmedian $2,291 · 10th to 90th $1,479 to $3,388
$100$1K$10Kfacility $1,622professional $2,291

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
$933.25
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$7,762.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,380.38
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$2,630.27
BCBS Illinois
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10,000.00
Median
$21,379.62
Typical High
$42,657.95
BCBS Illinois
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,137.96
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$3,019.95
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$2,511.89
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$3,235.94
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$2,570.40
Typical High
$6,309.57
Hally Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$2,344.23
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$7,079.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,584.89
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$3,548.13
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
$691.83
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$831.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$1,258.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$251.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$1,174.90

Where Illinois 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

Illinois· 28th of 51

$3,913

$2,291 physician + $1,622 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.