Price Checker / CPT 21230
How much does Rib Cartilage Graft cost?
CPT 21230 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 4.8x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$990–$2,000
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,750
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$2,500
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $7,154 is $5,654 over the fair price (about 4.8x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Rib Cartilage Graft
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shriners Childrens Honolulu , HI | $7,154 | — | 1211% |
| Shriners Childrens Philadelphia , PA | $7,154 | — | 1211% |
| Shriners Childrens Spokane , WA | $7,154 | — | 1211% |
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 Rib Cartilage Graft
CPT code 21230 refers to rib cartilage graft (billing description: "Rib cartilage graft"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $660 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $660 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.