Price Checker / CPT 31601
How much does Planned Tracheostomy<2 Yrs cost?
CPT 31601 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 131x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$570–$1,150
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,450
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $112,886 is $112,026 over the fair price (about 131x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Planned Tracheostomy<2 Yrs
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARION HEALTH Marion, IN | $185,241 | — | 41246% |
| Southlake Specialty Hospital LLC Southlake, TX | — | — | 10582% |
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 Planned Tracheostomy<2 Yrs
CPT code 31601 refers to planned tracheostomy<2 yrs (billing description: "Planned tracheostomy<2 yrs"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $379 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $379 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.