Price Checker / CPT 15851
How much does Removal Sutr/staple Req Anesthesia cost?
CPT 15851 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 48x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$90–$180
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,450
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$230
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $6,717 is $6,577 over the fair price (about 48x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Removal Sutr/staple Req Anesthesia
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doylestown Health , PA | $19,453 | — | 24862% |
| "Children's Hospital of Michigan" DETROIT, MI | — | — | 23573% |
| Baptist Health-Fort Smith FORT SMITH, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway CONWAY, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County MONTICELLO, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County , AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock LITTLE ROCK, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart STUTTGART, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| Baptist Health-Van Buren VAN BUREN, AR | $13,122 | $3,281 | 22350% |
| UPMC Montefiore , PA | $12,845 | $10,276 | 21876% |
| UPMC Presbyterian , PA | $12,845 | $10,276 | 21876% |
| UPMC Shadyside , PA | $12,845 | $10,276 | 21876% |
| Lake Region Healthcare Hospital , MN | — | — | 16530% |
| Mon Health Medical Center MORGANTOWN, WV | $9,426 | $4,713 | 16027% |
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 Removal Sutr/staple Req Anesthesia
CPT code 15851 refers to removal sutr/staple req anesthesia (billing description: "Removal sutr/staple req anes"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $58 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $58 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.