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Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal

Minnesota 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?

$407

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $407 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $389 from a physician practice, and about $562 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$389$257 to $550
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$562$209 to $1,288

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $562 · 10th to 90th $129 to $2,951Professionalmedian $389 · 10th to 90th $204 to $741
$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $562professional $389

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
$128.82
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$208.93
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$31.62
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$147.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$208.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$31.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$147.91
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$5,623.41
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$9,772.37
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$660.69
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$977.24
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$524.81
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$131.83
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$549.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$1,047.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$912.01
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$870.96
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$851.14
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$3,311.31
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$1,202.26
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$1,659.59
Typical High
$4,265.80
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$724.44
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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$20.89

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 5th of 51

$407

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.