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Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 69540

Surgical removal of a soft tissue lesion — such as a cyst, polyp, or other growth — located in the external ear canal. The surgeon removes the growth, usually working through the ear canal itself without an outside incision, and the tissue may be sent to a lab for examination. It is used when a growth is causing blockage, discharge, hearing changes, or discomfort, or when the diagnosis needs to be confirmed.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal cost?

$234

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $234 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $145 to $479.

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 $2,512 · 10th to 90th $240 to $16,218Professionalmedian $200 · 10th to 90th $132 to $603
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $2,512professional $200

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$2,818.38
Typical High
$4,786.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$239.88
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$2,089.30
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$575.44
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$512.86
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$537.03
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$27,542.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$575.44
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
$70.79
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$181.97
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$36.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$14.45
Typical High
$23.99
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$169.82

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 3.9 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.

Washington, DC· 23rd of 51

$234

OK $646KY $166

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.