Rmvl tis xpndr wo insj implt
Tissue expander removal without implant placement costs range from $518 to $2,862 depending on your facility type, with potential differences of $2,344 making bill verification essential before treatment.
About the analyst
David Park researches procedure pricing and insurance reimbursement patterns at BillRazor Research. He specializes in cost comparison across care settings and metropolitan areas. Expertise: procedure pricing, insurance reimbursement, cost comparison.
Code 11971 covers the surgical removal of a tissue expander without placing a permanent implant, typically performed when complications arise or patients choose not to proceed with reconstruction. This procedure is commonly billed for breast cancer patients who had expanders placed after mastectomy but decide against final implant placement. Medicare reimburses approximately $1,200 for this code, though facility charges can reach 8-12 times this benchmark depending on the hospital setting.
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Facility rate
$518
National Medicare benchmark
Non-facility rate
$99
Office setting benchmark
Data sources
4
24 data points
Key insights for CPT 11971
ASC vs hospital outpatient savings
$1,660Having this done at an ambulatory surgery center costs $1,202 vs $2,862 at a hospital outpatient
Facility vs office setting
$419 differenceNon-facility setting is less expensive for this procedure
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Facility (physician office) | $518 | +424% |
| Non-facility (office) | $99 | Lowest |
| Outpatient (APC) | $2,862 | +2791% |
| Ambulatory surgery (ASC) | $1,202 | +1114% |
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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.
Related procedures
Related pricing data
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