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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

North Carolina 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?

$3,778

Typical total for the visit. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,778 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $2,754 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,023 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$2,754$1,820 to $3,311
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,023$575 to $3,311

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,023 · 10th to 90th $380 to $7,244Professionalmedian $2,754 · 10th to 90th $1,479 to $3,631
$200$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $1,023professional $2,754

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
$7,943.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$2,041.74
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$3,162.28
Typical High
$3,981.07
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$29,512.09
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$3,981.07
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$2,344.23
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,454.71
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$851.14
Typical High
$5,011.87
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$3,630.78
11 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
$741.31
Median
$741.31
Typical High
$851.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$338.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,288.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,202.26
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$2,089.30
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$831.76
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$588.84
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$588.84
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$588.84

Where North Carolina 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

North Carolina· 30th of 51

$3,778

$2,754 physician + $1,023 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.