Rate Benchmarking
Compare your rates with similar providers.
Select a published rate, define comparable providers, and see where that rate falls in your market.
See a sample rate comparisonCPT 61521 Fee Schedule
Last Verified: October 2026
Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address high-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.
Craniectomy For Excision Of Br, Craniectomy For Excision Of Brain Tumor Infratentorial Orposterior Fossa Midline Tumor At Base Of Skull
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Surgery Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System |
| Common Place of Service | 21 - Inpatient Hospital 22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital 23 - Emergency Room |
| Common Modifiers | None 80 - Assistant surgeon AS - PA/NP/CNS assistant at surgery |
| Complexity Level | High |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | View Medicare rates for 61521 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | View Medicaid rates for 61521 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 61521 by major payers:
$4,163.66
$4,361.91
$4,435.02
$5,069.81
Compare published rates across providers.
Choose a payer to see a sample of rates for CPT 61521.
CPT 61521
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kirby, LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kirby Glen
$5,554.00Published rateAlliance Surgical Center LLC
$1,416.00Published rateBhatti Gi Surgery Center LLC
$750.00Published rateDoctors Gi Partnership Ltd, Hf Surgery Center At Babcock
Doctors Gi Partnership Ltd
$525.00Published rateSt George Surgical Center Lp
St. George Surgical Center
$200.00Published rate
Get a free rate benchmark for your specialty.
Choose your state and specialty to build a report from payer-published rates.
Use market rates to prepare your payer proposal.
Payer Contract Negotiation
Draft a fee schedule renegotiation letter.
Use your fee schedule and market benchmarks to set target rates and draft a letter for your payer.
See a sample payer proposalCPT 61521 vs. Other Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Codes
The CPT 61521 code is part of the Surgery services used for Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.
The CPT 61521 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.
| Code | Complexity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 61521-CPT | High | Craniectomy For Excision Of Br, Craniectomy For Excision Of Brain Tumor Infratentorial Orposterior Fossa Midline Tumor At Base Of Skull |
| 61536-CPT | High | Craniotomy With Elevation Of B, Craniotomy With Elevation Of Bone Flap For Excision Ofcerebral Epileptogenic Focus With Electrocorticography During Surgery (Includes Removal Of Electrode Array) |
| 61537-CPT | High | Craniotomy With Elevation Of B, Craniotomy With Elevation Of Bone Flapfor Lob- Ectomy Temporal Lobe Without Electrocorticography During Surgery |
| 61540-CPT | High | Craniotomy With Elevation Of B, Craniotomy With Elevation Of Bone Flapfor Lob- Ectomy Other Than Temporal Lobe Partial Or Total Without Electrocorticography During Surgery |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 61521. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 61521 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
FREE SAMPLE MARKET COMPARISON
Let's review your payer contracts side-by-side with the market.
Bring your top codes (like CPT 61521) and we'll show you how you compare in 15 minutes or less.