Incision and Drainage of Abscess
CPT Code: 10060
Was your bill higher than this?
Enter what you were charged below to instantly see how your bill compares to the Medicare benchmark — and whether it’s worth disputing.
Check My Bill for Incision and Drainage of Abscess →Understanding the cost of Incision and Drainage of Abscess
What does the Medicare rate mean?
The Medicare rate of $77.45 is the amount the federal government pays providers for CPT 10060under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. It’s the most widely published benchmark for what a procedure "should" cost and is used as a reference point by commercial insurers when negotiating their own rates.
What do commercial insurers pay?
Commercial insurers (Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealth, etc.) negotiate rates independently with each provider network. As a rule of thumb, these rates fall in the $92.94 – $154.90 range for Incision and Drainage of Abscess — roughly 1.2 to 2 times Medicare. If you were billed significantly more, the excess may be negotiable.
What if I was billed more than the commercial range?
Bills above the typical commercial range are common, especially for uninsured or out-of-network patients who receive chargemaster (list) prices. You have several options:
- Ask for the Medicare rate or self-pay discount — many providers will accept this immediately.
- Request an itemized bill — billing errors are common and can account for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Appeal if you have insurance — if the procedure was denied or you were billed out-of-network, you have the right to appeal.
- Ask about financial assistance — nonprofit hospitals are required by law to offer charity care programs.
How minor procedure charges like this are billed
Minor procedures carry a global period — a window (often 0 or 10 days) during which related follow-up care is already included in the procedure's price. The most common billing problems are being charged separately for care that the global period already covers, and an office-visit charge stacked on top of the procedure without justification.
Common billing problems with minor procedure charges
Follow-up visits billed inside the global period
Routine follow-up for the procedure during its global period is generally included. A separate visit charge for normal post-procedure care may be inappropriate.
Office visit stacked on the procedure
An office visit billed the same day as a minor procedure requires modifier 25 and must be a separate, significant service. Question a reflexive visit charge added to the procedure.
Supplies or trays billed separately when bundled
Many routine supplies are bundled into the procedure. Separate charges for standard supplies are worth reviewing.
How to push back on this charge
Ask whether any follow-up or visit charges fall within the procedure's global period, and request removal of services that the global package already includes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Incision and Drainage of Abscess cost without insurance?
Without insurance, you may be billed the chargemaster (list) rate, which can be 3–10× the Medicare rate. For Incision and Drainage of Abscess, that could mean a bill of $232.35–$387.25 or more. Always ask for the self-pay or cash-pay rate before accepting the listed price — providers often offer significant discounts.
What is CPT code 10060?
CPT 10060 is the Current Procedural Terminology code assigned to Incision and Drainage of Abscess. It’s used by providers, insurers, and Medicare to identify and bill for this specific service. You’ll find it on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or itemized bill.
Can I negotiate the cost of Incision and Drainage of Abscess?
Yes. Negotiating medical bills is common and often successful. Referencing the Medicare rate of $77.45 gives you a credible, federally published benchmark to anchor the conversation. Many providers will accept 1–1.5× Medicare as a cash settlement.