Price Checker / CPT 50688
How much does Change Of Ureter Tube/stent cost?
CPT 50688 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 37x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$110–$210
What this should cost
With insurance
~$73,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$260
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $5,910 is $5,750 over the fair price (about 37x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Change Of Ureter Tube/stent
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| WTH Dyersburg Hospital , TN | — | $496 | 23912% |
| Chilton Medical Center POMPTON PLAINS, NJ | $16,387 | $2,679 | 22935% |
| "Children's Hospital of Michigan" DETROIT, MI | — | — | 19350% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE CLEAR LAKE Webster, TX | — | — | 16065% |
| HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SOUTHEAST Pasadena, TX | — | — | 16065% |
| Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital SULLIVAN, MO | $10,241 | $6,144 | 14295% |
| Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre BONNE TERRE, MO | $10,050 | $6,030 | 14026% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Psychiatry , OH | $9,211 | $5,527 | 12848% |
| The Christ Hospital Inpatient Rehab , OH | $9,211 | $5,527 | 12848% |
| The Christ Hospital Liberty , OH | $9,211 | $5,527 | 12848% |
| The Christ Hospital , OH | $9,211 | $5,527 | 12848% |
| "St. Mary's General Hospital" PASSAIC, NJ | $8,699 | $3,062 | 12128% |
| FREDERICK FERRIS THOMPSON HOSPITAL , NY | — | — | 10061% |
| Oregon Health and Science University , OR | $6,833 | $4,441 | 9505% |
| MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital , WA | — | — | 9465% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Change Of Ureter Tube/stent
CPT code 50688 refers to change of ureter tube/stent (billing description: "Change of ureter tube/stent"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $71 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $71 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.