This procedure removes a small piece of tissue from the external ear canal, the passage leading to the eardrum, so it can be examined under a microscope. It's used to investigate a growth, persistent sore, or unusual-looking area inside the canal that needs a definite diagnosis. It's typically done in an office setting with local numbing.
Rates data updated July 2026.
How much does Ear Canal Tissue Sample cost?
$129
Typical physician fee. In Delaware, July 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $129 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $64.57 to $162.
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 3 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.
How much rates vary
Facilitymedian $7,244 · 10th to 90th $65 to $7,244Professionalmedian $129 · 10th to 90th $62 to $209
Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.
Rates by insurance carrier
Insurance Carrier
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7,244.36
Median
$7,244.36
Typical High
$7,244.36
Facility
Global
$7,244.36
$7,244.36
$7,244.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$173.78
Professional
Global
$58.88
$128.82
$173.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$223.87
Professional
Global
$61.66
$123.03
$223.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$100.00
Facility
Global
$64.57
$64.57
$100.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$199.53
Professional
Global
$61.66
$117.49
$199.53
Where Delaware sits
The same service costs 11.5 times more in Oklahoma than in Kentucky. 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.