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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

South 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?

$2,567

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $2,567 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,445 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,122 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$1,445$339 to $1,950
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,122$603 to $4,169

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,122 · 10th to 90th $437 to $8,511Professionalmedian $1,445 · 10th to 90th $214 to $2,512
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $1,122professional $1,445

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
$1,778.28
Median
$9,120.11
Typical High
$22,908.68
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,479.11
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$1,778.28
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$2,089.30
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$794.33
Typical High
$1,905.46
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,621.81
Median
$1,737.80
Typical High
$3,311.31
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$4,168.69
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$2,041.74
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$1,348.96
Typical High
$2,511.89
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$8,709.64
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,737.80
Typical High
$2,951.21
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
$891.25
Typical High
$891.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$354.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$1,318.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$177.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,230.27
Typical High
$1,230.27
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,348.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$537.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$371.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$371.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$371.54

Where South 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

South Carolina· 45th of 51

$2,567

$1,445 physician + $1,122 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.