Price Checker / CPT 21480
How much does Cltx Tmprmand Dislc 1st/sbsq cost?
CPT 21480 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 49x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$480–$560
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,150
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$700
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $25,591 is $25,071 over the fair price (about 49x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Cltx Tmprmand Dislc 1st/sbsq
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Hartsville, SC | $72,101 | — | 41817% |
| Cimarron Memorial Hospital Boise City, OK | $4,161 | — | 2319% |
| BARAGA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL L' ANSE, MI | $510 | $510 | 196% |
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 Cltx Tmprmand Dislc 1st/sbsq
CPT code 21480 refers to cltx tmprmand dislc 1st/sbsq (billing description: "Cltx tmprmand dislc 1st/sbsq"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $30 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $172 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.