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Removal of a Soft Tissue Growth in the Ear Canal

South Dakota 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?

$324

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $324 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $339 from a physician practice, and about $302 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 $468
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$302$224 to $759

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $302 · 10th to 90th $186 to $1,202Professionalmedian $339 · 10th to 90th $178 to $575
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $302professional $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
$125.89
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$4,365.16
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$239.88
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$389.05
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$616.60
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$1,202.26
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$1,584.89
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$467.74
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$269.15
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$416.87
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$407.38
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,698.24
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$575.44
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$512.86
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
$54.95
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$31.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
78 · Unplanned return to OR
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$147.91

Where South Dakota 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.

South Dakota· 8th of 51

$324

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.