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Same-Day Hospital Or Observation Care, Lower Level

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 99234

Covers a doctor's assessment and management of a patient who is placed under hospital or observation care and sent home on the same calendar day, taking in both the admission work and the discharge. It applies to the more straightforward end of these same-day stays, where the problem and the decisions involved are less complex.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Same-Day Hospital Or Observation Care, Lower Level cost?

$117

Typical physician fee. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $117 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $83.18 to $141.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $83 · 10th to 90th $62 to $148Professionalmedian $117 · 10th to 90th $71 to $166
$100$200facility $83professional $117

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
$61.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$158.49
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$158.49
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
29
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$158.49
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$194.98
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$239.88
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$269.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$169.82
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$131.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$213.80
10 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
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$63.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$19.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$12.59
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
25 · Same-day visit
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$186.21
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
GC · Resident with teaching physician
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$97.72
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$38.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$26.92
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$26.92
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$26.92

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 2.0 times more in Alaska than in Washington, DC. 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 Carolina· 40th of 51

$117

AK $209DC $102

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.