Price Checker / CPT 63003
How much does Remove Spine Lamina 1/2 Thrc cost?
CPT 63003 · 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
$1,800–$3,600
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,600
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$4,500
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $148,266 is $145,566 over the fair price (about 55x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Remove Spine Lamina 1/2 Thrc
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX | $159,151 | — | 13184% |
| UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Hospital Galveston, TX | $159,151 | — | 13184% |
| UTMB Health Clear Lake Hospital Galveston, TX | $159,151 | — | 13184% |
| UTMB Health League City Hospital Galveston, TX | $159,151 | — | 13184% |
| Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Bangor, ME | $177,071 | — | 12483% |
| ST MARY'S HOSPITAL Richmond, VA | $204,687 | — | 9399% |
| Kona Community Hospital KEALAKEKUA, HI | — | — | 1528% |
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 Spine Lamina 1/2 Thrc
CPT code 63003 refers to remove spine lamina 1/2 thrc (billing description: "Remove spine lamina 1/2 thrc"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $1,198 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $1,198 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.