Price Checker / CPT 68840
How much does Explore/irrigate Tear Ducts cost?
CPT 68840 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 12x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$680–$800
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,200
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,000
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $8,584 is $7,844 over the fair price (about 12x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Explore/irrigate Tear Ducts
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRISCILLA CHAN & MARK ZUCKERBERG SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL & TRAUMA CENTER , CA | $14,265 | $14,265 | 10524% |
| UPMC Childrens , PA | — | — | 4619% |
| UPMC Altoona ALTOONA, PA | — | — | 3737% |
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 Explore/irrigate Tear Ducts
CPT code 68840 refers to explore/irrigate tear ducts (billing description: "Explore/irrigate tear ducts"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $105 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $134 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.