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Telescope Surgery Inside the Brain's Fluid Spaces

Virginia 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?

$7,361

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7,361 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $1,738 to the doctor who performs it, and $5,623 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$1,738$1,549 to $2,042
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$5,623$2,089 to $14,454

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $5,623 · 10th to 90th $1,122 to $24,547Professionalmedian $1,738 · 10th to 90th $1,413 to $2,570
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $5,623professional $1,738

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
$1,698.24
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$14,125.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$2,089.30
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,456.54
Median
$15,488.17
Typical High
$28,840.32
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,737.80
Typical High
$2,238.72
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
62 · Two surgeons
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$1,096.48
Typical High
$1,412.54
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$354.81
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$309.03
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$2,238.72
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$5,495.41
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$2,570.40
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$1,698.24
Typical High
$2,089.30
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,995.26
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$2,511.89
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$1,905.46
Typical High
$2,818.38
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$1,819.70
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$2,089.30
Typical High
$10,232.93
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,995.26
Typical High
$3,801.89
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$6,309.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,230.27
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$2,884.03
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
$851.14
Typical High
$851.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$338.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$1,288.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,202.26

Where Virginia 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

Virginia· 10th of 51

$7,361

$1,738 physician + $5,623 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.