Price Checker / CPT 16035
How much does Escharotomy 1st Incision cost?
CPT 16035 · 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
$710–$840
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,450
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,050
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $15,863 is $15,083 over the fair price (about 20x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Escharotomy 1st Incision
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benson Hospital BENSON, AZ | — | — | 8777% |
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 Escharotomy 1st Incision
CPT code 16035 refers to escharotomy 1st incision (billing description: "Escharotomy 1st incision"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $179 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $179 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.