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Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal

Rhode Island 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?

$219

Typical negotiated rate. In Rhode Island, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $219 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $219 from a physician practice, and about $1,230 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$219$155 to $257
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,230$676 to $3,467

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,230 · 10th to 90th $269 to $4,898Professionalmedian $219 · 10th to 90th $132 to $363
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,230professional $219

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
$2,089.30
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$3,981.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$190.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$38.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$25.70
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$363.08
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$204.17
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$25.70
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$25.70
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$1,202.26
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$426.58
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$5,011.87
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$323.59
3 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
$77.62
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$128.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$177.83

Where Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island· 33rd of 51

$219

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.