Removal Of Skull Bone For Removal Or Drainage Of Cyst Of Brain

What the Data Says About Removal Of Skull Bone For Removal Or Drainage Of Cyst Of Brain

Across 0 states with reporting providers, CPT code 61524 (Removal Of Skull Bone For Removal Or Drainage Of Cyst Of Brain) shows a national average Medicare payment of $1,237.82 against an average billed charge of $7,277.69. That gap — a 5.9x markup, or 488% above the Medicare allowed amount — reflects chargemaster pricing, not what most insured patients actually pay. Medicare's negotiated rate is the statutory benchmark; commercial insurers typically settle between the two figures based on network contracts.

Nervous System Surgery procedures like this one saw 32 services billed to Medicare in 2023 by 32 distinct providers, serving 22 unique beneficiaries. Regional variation is limited in the underlying CMS file. Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) explain much of that spread — local malpractice premiums, practice expense, and physician work adjustments all shift the allowed amount even when the procedure is identical.

Applying RAND 2024 commercial-to-Medicare ratios specific to the Nervous System Surgery category (2.24x), the estimated commercial insurance price lands near $3,475.08, with self-pay cash discounts commonly bringing the figure closer to $3,164.90. Uninsured patients facing the full billed charge have the strongest leverage to negotiate — the Hospital Price Transparency Rule (effective January 2021) requires providers to publish standard charges, cash rates, and payer-specific negotiated prices. This data is for educational reference; confirm coverage and out-of-pocket exposure with your insurer before any procedure.