Price Checker / CPT 61796
How much does Srs Cranial Lesion Simple cost?
CPT 61796 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 17x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$5,100–$6,000
What this should cost
With insurance
~$4,550
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$7,500
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $96,275 is $90,725 over the fair price (about 17x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Srs Cranial Lesion Simple
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit Health Central Jackson, MS | $315,497 | — | 31053% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital KATY, TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital HUMBLE, TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital , TX | $162,960 | — | 15991% |
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 Srs Cranial Lesion Simple
CPT code 61796 refers to srs cranial lesion simple (billing description: "Srs cranial lesion simple"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $1,013 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $1,013 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.