Price Checker / CPT 38740
How much does Remove Armpit Lymph Nodes cost?
CPT 38740 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 7.5x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$1,000–$2,000
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,900
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$2,500
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $11,255 is $9,755 over the fair price (about 7.5x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Remove Armpit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes DANBURY, NC | $12,497 | — | 1569% |
| Margaret Mary Health , OH | $10,013 | — | 1386% |
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 Remove Armpit Lymph Nodes
CPT code 38740 refers to remove armpit lymph nodes (billing description: "Remove armpit lymph nodes"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $674 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $674 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.