Price Checker / CPT 29826
How much does Sho Arthrs Srg Decompression cost?
CPT 29826 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 63x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$220–$440
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,450
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$550
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $20,714 is $20,384 over the fair price (about 63x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Sho Arthrs Srg Decompression
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook Southampton Hospital , NY | $2,357 | — | 51404% |
| SOUTHSIDE MEDICAL CENTER Petersburg, VA | $58,733 | — | 44539% |
| Chilton Medical Center POMPTON PLAINS, NJ | $54,393 | $9,409 | 36744% |
| Northwest Health - Starke Knox, IN | $52,203 | — | 33139% |
| Franciscan Health Munster MUNSTER, IN | $46,268 | $12,353 | 31240% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Psychiatry , OH | $45,986 | $17,504 | 31050% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Rehab , OH | $45,986 | $17,504 | 31050% |
| The Christ Hospital Liberty , OH | $45,986 | $17,504 | 31050% |
| The Christ Hospital , OH | $45,986 | $17,504 | 31050% |
| Hill Regional Hospital Hillsboro, TX | $53,424 | — | 30659% |
| Franciscan Health Olympia Fields , IL | $43,320 | $8,664 | 29243% |
| WILLARD HOSPITAL Willard, OH | $39,286 | — | 22927% |
| Down East Community Hospital Machias, ME | $36,866 | — | 22749% |
| Butler County Health David City, NE | $34,032 | — | 22491% |
| Community Medical Center Falls City, NE | $33,568 | — | 21956% |
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 Sho Arthrs Srg Decompression
CPT code 29826 refers to sho arthrs srg decompression (billing description: "Sho arthrs srg decompression"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $148 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $148 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.