Price Checker / CPT 11603
How much does Exc Tr-ext Mal+marg 2.1-3 Cm cost?
CPT 11603 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 20x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$920–$1,100
What this should cost
With insurance
~$144,300
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,400
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $20,368 is $19,368 over the fair price (about 20x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Exc Tr-ext Mal+marg 2.1-3 Cm
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos Medical Center LOS ALAMOS, NY | $38,864 | — | 13970% |
| Meritus Medical Center, Inc. HAGERSTOWN, MD | $1,873 | — | 578% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Exc Tr-ext Mal+marg 2.1-3 Cm
CPT code 11603 refers to exc tr-ext mal+marg 2.1-3 cm (billing description: "Exc tr-ext mal+marg 2.1-3 cm"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $163 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $276 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.