Price Checker / CPT 42961
How much does Control Throat Bleeding cost?
CPT 42961 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 4.1x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$1,650–$1,950
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$2,450
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $7,382 is $5,582 over the fair price (about 4.1x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Control Throat Bleeding
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Chautauqua , NY | $12,841 | $10,273 | 3345% |
| St. Tammany Parish Hospital COVINGTON, LA | $9,304 | — | 2396% |
| Elmhurst Hospital Center Elmhurst, NY | — | — | -100% |
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 Control Throat Bleeding
CPT code 42961 refers to control throat bleeding (billing description: "Control throat bleeding"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $373 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $373 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.