Price Checker / CPT 38500
How much does Biopsy/removal Lymph Nodes cost?
CPT 38500 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 28x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$550–$1,100
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,100
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,400
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $23,415 is $22,585 over the fair price (about 28x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Biopsy/removal Lymph Nodes
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Muir Health Behavioral Health Center , CA | $157,019 | $70,659 | 42405% |
| John Muir Health Concord Medical Center , CA | $157,019 | $70,659 | 42405% |
| John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center , CA | $157,019 | $70,659 | 42405% |
| Willow Creek Women's Hospital Johnson, AR | $171,503 | — | 31006% |
| ST VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER Toledo, OH | $251,034 | — | 23005% |
| Franciscan Health Lafayette LAFAYETTE, IN | $65,607 | $16,861 | 17660% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Psychiatry , OH | $56,377 | $27,184 | 15161% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Rehab , OH | $56,377 | $27,184 | 15161% |
| The Christ Hospital Liberty , OH | $56,377 | $27,184 | 15161% |
| The Christ Hospital , OH | $56,377 | $27,184 | 15161% |
| Franciscan Health Munster MUNSTER, IN | $54,338 | $14,508 | 14609% |
| Franciscan Health Olympia Fields , IL | $38,560 | $7,712 | 10338% |
| Person Memorial Hospital ROXBORO, NC | $36,171 | — | 9691% |
| Kindred Hospital Bay Area - St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, FL | $14,519 | — | 3830% |
| Kindred Hospital Bay Area - Tampa Tampa, FL | $14,519 | — | 3830% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Biopsy/removal Lymph Nodes
CPT code 38500 refers to biopsy/removal lymph nodes (billing description: "Biopsy/removal lymph nodes"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $246 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $369 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.