How Much Does Hardware Removal (Deep, e.g., Plate or Rod) Cost?
Also known as: Removal of implant deep (CPT 20680)
Surgery to remove metal plates, screws, rods, or pins that were previously implanted to fix a fracture.
Hardware Removal (Deep, e.g., Plate or Rod) (CPT 20680) costs $394 at Medicare rates. Hospital outpatient rate: $2.
Cost Comparison by Payer
How much Removal of implant deep costs across different settings and payers
Patient Guide: Hardware Removal (Deep, e.g., Plate or Rod)
What you need to know before your appointment
What to Expect
Under anesthesia, the surgeon opens the previous incision site and removes the metal hardware. Usually done after the bone has fully healed.
How Long Does It Take?
30-90 minutes, same-day or overnight
Common Reasons Doctors Order This
Hardware causing pain, prominence of metal under skin, infection around hardware, request for removal
How to Prepare
Fast after midnight. Bring previous surgical records. Arrange a ride home.
Procedures Commonly Done Together
These procedures are frequently performed alongside Removal of implant deep
How to Reduce Your Cost for Removal of implant deep
Practical tips that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars
- 1 Ask about cash-pay discounts
Many hospitals and clinics offer 20-40% discounts for self-pay patients. Always ask before scheduling.
- 2 Compare facility vs. office setting costs
For this procedure, the office rate ($632) differs from the facility rate ($394). Ask if it can be done in an office setting.
- 3 Shop around — costs vary significantly
Costs can vary 2-3x between providers in the same city. Get quotes from multiple facilities.
- 4 Check ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)
This procedure is available at ASCs for $1, compared to $2 at hospital outpatient departments. ASCs often offer lower costs with comparable quality.
How is the Price Calculated?
Medicare calculates procedure payments using Relative Value Units (RVUs). Each procedure has three components multiplied by a conversion factor ($33.40 in 2026) and adjusted by geographic cost indices.
Payment = Total RVU (18.92) x CF ($33.40) = $632
Related Procedures
Similar procedures in the same category or body system
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Removal of implant deep cost?
The Medicare facility rate for Removal of implant deep is $394. In a hospital outpatient setting, the rate is $2. At an ambulatory surgery center, the rate is $1. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).
How much does Removal of implant deep cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the cost of Removal of implant deep can range from 150% of Medicare to 500% of Medicare depending on the facility. Many hospitals and clinics offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% off their chargemaster price. Always ask about cash pricing before your visit.
Does insurance cover Removal of implant deep?
Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Removal of implant deep when ordered by a physician for a medically necessary reason. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay/coinsurance structure, and whether you use an in-network provider. Check with your insurance company before scheduling to confirm coverage and get a cost estimate.
Why does the cost vary so much by location?
Medicare adjusts payments using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) that reflect local differences in physician work costs, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Manhattan, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural regions. Commercial insurers follow similar geographic patterns.