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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

Kentucky 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?

$3,544

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,544 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,549 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,995 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$1,549$1,380 to $2,239
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,995$759 to $9,550

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,995 · 10th to 90th $457 to $13,490Professionalmedian $1,549 · 10th to 90th $1,230 to $2,630
$100$1K$10Kfacility $1,995professional $1,549

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
$1,288.25
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$1,479.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$1,698.24
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
$1,230.27
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$2,630.27
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$1,659.59
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$416.87
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$371.54
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,290.87
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$2,344.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$2,630.27
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$7,762.47
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
$1,479.11
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$2,691.53
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
$645.65
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$741.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$295.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$954.99
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,122.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$223.87
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$147.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$1,047.13

Where Kentucky 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

Kentucky· 32nd of 51

$3,544

$1,549 physician + $1,995 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.