How Much Does Planned Tracheostomy Cost?
Also known as: Planned tracheostomy (CPT 31600)
A tracheostomy, creating a surgical opening in the windpipe (trachea) through the front of the neck for breathing.
The total estimated cost of Planned Tracheostomy (CPT 31600) is $918 to $1,722, including hospital fees, anesthesia, and supplies. The surgeon's Medicare fee alone is $273.
Total Estimated Cost of Care
This estimate includes hospital facility fees, anesthesia, and supplies .
Patient Guide: Planned Tracheostomy
What you need to know before your appointment
What to Expect
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the front of the neck and creates an opening into the trachea. A tracheostomy tube is placed for breathing.
How Long Does It Take?
20-45 minutes
Common Reasons Doctors Order This
Prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, severe neck or face trauma, need for long-term airway management
How to Prepare
This is often performed in critically ill patients. If planned, the surgeon will discuss how to care for the tracheostomy tube.
Procedures Commonly Done Together
These procedures are frequently performed alongside Planned tracheostomy
How to Reduce Your Cost for Planned tracheostomy
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
Some procedures cost significantly less in an office setting than a hospital. Ask your provider about options.
- 3 Shop around — costs vary significantly
Costs can vary 2-3x between providers in the same city. Get quotes from multiple facilities.
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 (8.18) x CF ($33.40) = $273
Related Procedures
Similar procedures in the same category or body system
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Planned tracheostomy cost?
The Medicare facility rate for Planned tracheostomy is $273. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).
How much does Planned tracheostomy cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the cost of Planned tracheostomy 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 Planned tracheostomy?
Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Planned tracheostomy 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.