Price Checker / CPT 38746
How much does Remove Thoracic Lymph Nodes cost?
CPT 38746 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 9.9x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$890–$1,050
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,900
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,300
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $9,575 is $8,605 over the fair price (about 9.9x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Remove Thoracic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic CLIFTON SPRINGS, NY | $13,915 | $9,045 | 7021% |
| United Memorial Medical Center BATAVIA, NY | $13,915 | $9,045 | 7021% |
| Essentia Health-Ada ADA, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| Essentia Health-Deer River DEER RIVER, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| Essentia Health-Fosston FOSSTON, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| Essentia Health-Holy Trinity Hospital (Graceville) GRACEVILLE, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| Essentia Health-Northern Pines (Aurora) Fargo, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| Essentia Health-Sandstone SANDSTONE, MN | — | — | 4166% |
| "Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospital-Superior" Fargo, WI | — | — | 4166% |
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 Thoracic Lymph Nodes
CPT code 38746 refers to remove thoracic lymph nodes (billing description: "Remove thoracic lymph nodes"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $195 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $195 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.