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Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal

Iowa 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?

$363

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $363 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $339 from a physician practice, and about $724 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$339$251 to $490
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$724$339 to $3,162

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $724 · 10th to 90th $269 to $5,012Professionalmedian $339 · 10th to 90th $204 to $617
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $724professional $339

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
$338.84
Median
$3,388.44
Typical High
$6,760.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$338.84
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$389.05
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$588.84
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$426.58
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$4,466.84
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$977.24
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$588.84
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$389.05
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$660.69
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$5,495.41
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$524.81
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$489.78
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
$63.10
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$251.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$50.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$33.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$234.42

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 6th of 51

$363

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.