Price Checker / CPT 43242
How much does Egd Ultrasound Fine Needle Bx/aspir cost?
CPT 43242 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 55x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$340–$690
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,650
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$860
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $28,491 is $27,971 over the fair price (about 55x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Egd Ultrasound Fine Needle Bx/aspir
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 | $95,015 | $23,686 | 41247% |
| Beartooth Billings Clinic RED LODGE, MT | $23,729 | — | 10226% |
| Georgetown Community Hospital GEORGETOWN, KY | $14,432 | — | 6180% |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - TAYLOR Taylor, TX | — | — | 2058% |
| Aspire Behavioral Health Hospital Conroe, TX | $4,320 | — | 1780% |
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 Egd Ultrasound Fine Needle Bx/aspir
CPT code 43242 refers to egd ultrasound fine needle bx/aspir (billing description: "Egd us fine needle bx/aspir"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $230 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $230 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.