Price Checker / CPT 69220
How much does Clean Out Mastoid Cavity cost?
CPT 69220 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 64x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$250–$290
What this should cost
With insurance
~$211,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$360
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $17,240 is $16,970 over the fair price (about 64x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Clean Out Mastoid Cavity
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Hospital SANTA CRUZ, CA | — | — | 34595% |
| Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc GRAFTON, WI | — | — | 18351% |
| Arroyo Grande Community Hospital , CA | — | — | 18338% |
| "St. John's Hospital Camarillo" SPRINGFIELD, CA | — | — | 16175% |
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 Clean Out Mastoid Cavity
CPT code 69220 refers to clean out mastoid cavity (billing description: "Clean out mastoid cavity"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $44 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $78 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.