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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

Maryland 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?

$1,549

Typical physician fee. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,549 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,230 to $1,820.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $562 · 10th to 90th $302 to $1,380Professionalmedian $1,660 · 10th to 90th $1,413 to $3,162
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $562professional $1,660

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,548.82
Typical High
$1,584.89
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$1,698.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$2,691.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$3,981.07
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,691.53
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$1,230.27
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$3,801.89
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$2,398.83
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
$776.25
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$794.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$316.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$1,202.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,122.02

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 6.9 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.

Maryland· 39th of 51

$1,549

AK $6,310TX $912

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.