Insj aqueous drain dev 1st
Aqueous drain device insertion procedures range from $3,898 at surgical centers to $5,159 at hospital outpatient facilities, making location verification essential before your procedure.
About the analyst
Priya Iyengar leads the billing code review team at BillRazor Research. She analyzes NCCI bundling edits, DRG coding, and regional rate variation. Expertise: NCCI bundling, DRG analysis, regional pricing.
This procedure involves surgically placing a small drainage device into the eye to reduce fluid buildup and lower intraocular pressure, typically performed on patients with glaucoma who haven't responded well to medications or laser treatments. The procedure uses Category III code 0449T, which is a temporary code for emerging technologies that may have limited coverage by some insurance plans. Medicare reimbursement rates for this procedure vary significantly based on facility type and geographic location.
Non-facility rate
$99
Office setting benchmark
Data sources
4
23 data points
Key insights for CPT 0449T
ASC vs hospital outpatient savings
$1,262Having this done at an ambulatory surgery center costs $3,898 vs $5,160 at a hospital outpatient
What this procedure costs across different settings
The same procedure can cost very different amounts depending on where it's performed. These are the Medicare-allowed amounts — what hospitals actually charge can be 3-10x higher.
| Setting | Medicare rate | vs lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Non-facility (office) | $99 | Lowest |
| Outpatient (APC) | $5,160 | +5112% |
| Ambulatory surgery (ASC) | $3,898 | +3837% |
Got a bill with CPT 0449T?
Upload your bill and our AI compares every line item against these exact benchmark rates. Free analysis in 60 seconds — you only pay if we find savings.
About this data
Rates shown are from the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment System, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule, and CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System (DRG weights). Regional adjustments use CMS Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCI). Hospital charges are from CMS Hospital Price Transparency machine-readable files. All data is publicly available under federal law (45 CFR Part 180).
This data is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Actual costs depend on insurance coverage, negotiated rates, and individual circumstances.
Data: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS Inpatient PPS (IPPS), Outpatient PPS (OPPS), ASC Payment System, Clinical Lab Fee Schedule (CLFS), National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). FY 2024 data. All publicly available from CMS.
Methodology: Facility rate applies when the procedure is performed in a hospital or ASC. Non-facility rate applies in a physician office. GPCI adjustments reflect regional cost-of-living differences.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical, financial, or legal advice. Actual costs depend on your insurance and provider. We recommend verifying costs directly with your provider. Full methodology · Terms of use