Price Checker / CPT 38505
How much does Needle Biopsy Lymph Nodes cost?
CPT 38505 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 27x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$260–$510
What this should cost
With insurance
~$88,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$640
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $10,375 is $9,985 over the fair price (about 27x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Needle Biopsy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore University Hospital MANHASSET, NY | — | $4,595 | 20650% |
| Lenox Hill Hospital NEW YORK, NY | — | $4,595 | 12255% |
| "Cohen Children's Medical Center" , NY | — | $4,595 | 10474% |
| Long Island Jewish Medical Center NEW HYDE PARK, NY | — | $4,595 | 10474% |
| Zucker Hillside Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 10474% |
| United Memorial Medical Center BATAVIA, NY | $9,797 | $6,368 | 5652% |
| Logan Regional Medical Center Logan, WV | $9,099 | — | 5242% |
| Highland District Hospital HILLSBORO, OH | $6,223 | $4,978 | 3553% |
| UPMC Bedford , PA | $5,805 | $4,644 | 3308% |
| Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital , NY | $4,634 | $1,854 | 2621% |
| McLaren Caro Region CARO, MI | $3,899 | — | 2189% |
| Franklin Medical Center WINNSBORO, LA | $3,768 | $2,261 | 2112% |
| Community Hospital TORRINGTON, WY | $3,530 | $2,383 | 1972% |
| Memorial Hospital and Manor BAINBRIDGE, GA | $3,090 | $2,163 | 1714% |
| UMass Memorial Health-Harrington at Webster , MA | $2,862 | $2,862 | 1580% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Needle Biopsy Lymph Nodes
CPT code 38505 refers to needle biopsy lymph nodes (billing description: "Needle biopsy lymph nodes"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $75 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $170 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.