Price Checker / CPT 31603
How much does Emer Tracheostomy Ttrach cost?
CPT 31603 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 102x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$420–$840
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,400
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,050
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $64,224 is $63,594 over the fair price (about 102x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Emer Tracheostomy Ttrach
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 | — | 56218% |
| Logan Regional Medical Center Logan, WV | $4,327 | — | 1453% |
| Grace Cottage Hospital Townshend, VT | $3,103 | — | 1014% |
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 Emer Tracheostomy Ttrach
CPT code 31603 refers to emer tracheostomy ttrach (billing description: "Emer tracheostomy ttrach"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $279 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $279 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.