Price Checker / CPT 69700
How much does Close Mastoid Fistula cost?
CPT 69700 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 58x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$1,750–$2,050
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,700
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$2,550
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $110,786 is $108,886 over the fair price (about 58x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Close Mastoid Fistula
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 | $110,786 | — | 18420% |
| UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Hospital Galveston, TX | $110,786 | — | 18420% |
| UTMB Health Clear Lake Hospital Galveston, TX | $110,786 | — | 18420% |
| UTMB Health League City Hospital Galveston, TX | $110,786 | — | 18420% |
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 Close Mastoid Fistula
CPT code 69700 refers to close mastoid fistula (billing description: "Close mastoid fistula"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $598 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $598 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.