Price Checker / CPT 21554
How much does Exc Neck Tum Deep 5 Cm/> cost?
CPT 21554 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 12x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$3,100–$3,650
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,050
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$4,550
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $41,710 is $38,310 over the fair price (about 12x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Exc Neck Tum Deep 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital , TX | $123,042 | — | 17976% |
| Memorial Medical Center PORT LAVACA, NM | $57,689 | — | 8375% |
| Starr Regional Medical Center , TN | $49,756 | — | 7209% |
| Southern Tennessee Regional Health System - Lawrenceburg , TN | $17,841 | — | 2521% |
| Doylestown Health , PA | $19,617 | — | 2061% |
| Castleview Hospital PRICE, UT | $13,848 | — | 1934% |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - BRENHAM Brenham, TX | — | — | 1395% |
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 Neck Tum Deep 5 Cm/>
CPT code 21554 refers to exc neck tum deep 5 cm/> (billing description: "Exc neck tum deep 5 cm/>"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $681 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $681 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.