Price Checker / CPT 37609
How much does Ligation/bx Temporal Artery cost?
CPT 37609 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 5.6x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$470–$950
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,550
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,200
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $3,958 is $3,248 over the fair price (about 5.6x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Ligation/bx Temporal Artery
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley County Medical Center WARREN, AR | $4,299 | — | 1262% |
| Howard Memorial Hospital NASHVILLE, AR | $3,616 | — | 1046% |
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 Ligation/bx Temporal Artery
CPT code 37609 refers to ligation/bx temporal artery (billing description: "Ligation/bx temporal artery"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $188 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $316 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.