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Eardrum Incision And Fluid Drainage

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 69420

This is a small incision made in the eardrum to drain trapped fluid from the middle ear, done without placing a drainage tube afterward. It relieves pressure and can improve hearing and reduce infection risk when fluid has built up behind the eardrum. The tiny opening typically heals on its own within days.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Eardrum Incision And Fluid Drainage cost?

$219

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $219 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $132 to $525.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,138 · 10th to 90th $219 to $6,457Professionalmedian $200 · 10th to 90th $126 to $282
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $2,138professional $200

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. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$6,456.54
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$3,162.28
Typical High
$3,162.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$218.78
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$446.68
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$457.09
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$1,548.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$457.09

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 6.8 times more in Oklahoma than in Rhode Island. 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.

Washington, DC· 26th of 51

$219

OK $1,148RI $170

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.