Rhytidectomy forehead
Forehead wrinkle removal surgery shows a potential difference of $848 between ambulatory surgery centers ($981) and hospital outpatient facilities ($1,829), making it essential to verify your provider's billing location before treatment.
About the analyst
Elena Vasquez leads hospital billing pattern analysis at BillRazor Research. She focuses on identifying overcharges, markup outliers, and patient advocacy strategies. Expertise: hospital billing patterns, overcharge analysis, patient advocacy.
Rhytidectomy forehead wrinkle removal (CPT 15824) is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens facial muscles to reduce forehead wrinkles and lines. This procedure is typically performed on adults seeking aesthetic improvement, usually those in their 40s and older. Medicare generally does not cover this elective cosmetic procedure, so patients pay out-of-pocket with significant price variations between providers.
Non-facility rate
$99
Office setting benchmark
Data sources
4
23 data points
Key insights for CPT 15824
ASC vs hospital outpatient savings
$848Having this done at an ambulatory surgery center costs $981 vs $1,829 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) | $1,829 | +1748% |
| Ambulatory surgery (ASC) | $981 | +891% |
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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.
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