Price Checker / CPT 38220
How much does Diagnostic Bone Marrow Aspirations cost?
CPT 38220 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 19x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$250–$500
What this should cost
With insurance
~$60,700
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$630
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $7,222 is $6,842 over the fair price (about 19x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Diagnostic Bone Marrow Aspirations
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital SULLIVAN, MO | $27,803 | $16,682 | 16482% |
| UAB St. Vincent's Birmingham , AL | $27,787 | — | 16472% |
| Parkland Health Center FARMINGTON, MO | $27,446 | $16,467 | 16269% |
| Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre BONNE TERRE, MO | $26,255 | $15,753 | 15559% |
| Kindred Hospital Las Vegas - Flamingo Las Vegas, NV | $10,592 | — | 6217% |
| Kindred Hospital Las Vegas - Sahara Las Vegas, NV | $10,592 | — | 6217% |
| Kindred Hospital Clear Lake Webster, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Dallas Central Dallas, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Houston Medical Center Houston, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Houston Northwest Houston, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital San Antonio Central San Antonio, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital San Antonio San Antonio, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Sugar Land Sugar Land, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Tarrant County - Arlington Arlington, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
| Kindred Hospital Tarrant County - Fort Worth Southwest Fort Worth, TX | $7,743 | — | 4518% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Diagnostic Bone Marrow Aspirations
CPT code 38220 refers to diagnostic bone marrow aspirations (billing description: "Dx bone marrow aspirations"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $55 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $168 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.