Price Checker / CPT 33020
How much does Incision Of Heart Sac cost?
CPT 33020 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 5.2x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$3,850–$4,500
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$5,650
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $21,983 is $17,783 over the fair price (about 5.2x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Incision Of Heart Sac
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL Wilmington, DE | $27,686 | — | 3433% |
| Frio Regional Hospital Pearsall, TX | $16,279 | — | 1811% |
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 Incision Of Heart Sac
CPT code 33020 refers to incision of heart sac (billing description: "Incision of heart sac"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $784 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $784 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.