go back

Ear Canal Tissue Sample

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 69105

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 October 2026.

How much does Ear Canal Tissue Sample cost?

$166

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $166 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $162 from a physician practice, and about $380 from a hospital or other facility.

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.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$162$115 to $234
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$380$182 to $832

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $380 · 10th to 90th $135 to $2,455Professionalmedian $162 · 10th to 90th $71 to $347
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $380professional $162

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
$60.26
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$5,248.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$158.49
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$478.63
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$389.05
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$645.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$288.40
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$288.40
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$478.63
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$4,365.16
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$275.42
9 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
$30.20
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$70.79
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$28.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$107.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$21.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$14.13
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$436.52
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$144.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$588.84
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$194.98

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.9 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.

North Carolina· 14th of 51

$166

OK $468KY $79.43

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.