Price Checker / CPT 69005
How much does Drg Xtrnl Ear Absc/hem Complete cost?
CPT 69005 · 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
$330–$670
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$840
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $5,840 is $5,340 over the fair price (about 12x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Drg Xtrnl Ear Absc/hem Complete
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| EHHS Fulton Square Clinic , WI | $10,837 | $7,911 | 4772% |
| UPMC Muncy MUNCY, PA | $10,773 | $8,618 | 4743% |
| UPMC Wellsboro WELLSBORO, PA | $10,773 | $8,618 | 4743% |
| Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital , NY | $5,752 | $2,301 | 2486% |
| 23330 Emergency Center, LLC d/b/a/ Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX | $5,577 | — | 2407% |
| Mid Coast Central - Llano Llano, TX | $4,311 | — | 1838% |
| Mid Coast Medical Center - Trinity Trinity, TX | $4,311 | — | 1838% |
| Elmore Community Hospital Wetumpka, AL | $114 | — | 574% |
| Lake Martin Community Hospital Dadeville, AL | $114 | — | 574% |
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 Drg Xtrnl Ear Absc/hem Complete
CPT code 69005 refers to drg xtrnl ear absc/hem complete (billing description: "Drg xtrnl ear absc/hem comp"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $146 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $222 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.