Price AtlasInteractive atlas · All states · techysurgeon.comWhat the whole facet nerve ablation (radiofrequency) costs
Heat ablation of the nerves to a low-back facet joint, one level. Every bill that usually comes with it, who sends it, and where each number comes from.
Price it for your ZIP, hospital or insurerRates by insurer
Partial estimate. Add-on codes often billed with it (64636) are not included. The totals below run low.
Medicare, national amounts, 2026
| Bill | Surgery center | Hospital outpatient |
|---|---|---|
| Facility | $949 | $1,995 |
| Surgeon | $173 | $173 |
| Before surgery (typical) | $177 | $177 |
| Total | $1,299 | $2,345 |
National Medicare amounts (payment-area and wage adjustments at 1.0). Facility: OPPS Addendum B, July 2026 (national unadjusted rate); local = rate × (0.6 × wage index + 0.4); ASC Addendum AA, July 2026 (national rate); local = rate × (0.5 × wage index + 0.5); device-intensive (J8) codes keep the device portion unadjusted; FY 2026 IPPS final rule CMS-1833-F, Table 5; standard amounts from Tables 1A-1E; local = weight × (labor × wage index + non-labor + capital × wage index^0.6848). Leaves out teaching (IME), safety-net (DSH) and outlier add-ons. Surgeon: CMS Physician Fee Schedule CY2026 (RVU26D). Anesthesia: CMS base units × the CY2026 anesthesia conversion factor, with an assumed case time. An educational estimate, not a quote.
Line by line (surgery center)
- Surgery center facility fee: $949. Billed by The surgery center. CMS ASC Addendum AA, July 2026: national rate $948.66
- Surgeon, CPT 64635: $173. Billed by The surgeon's group. CMS Physician Fee Schedule CY2026 (RVU26D, Oct 2026 release), facility rate, PFS locality national (GPCI 1.0)
- Consultation visit (new patient): $177. Billed by The surgeon's group. CMS PFS CY2026 (RVU26D), non-facility (office) rate, CPT 99204
Questions
How much does a facet nerve ablation (radiofrequency) cost in total, with every bill?
At national Medicare rates for 2026, the whole facet nerve ablation (radiofrequency) comes to about $1,299 in a surgery center and about $2,345 in a hospital outpatient, counting the facility, the surgeon and typical care before and after. Commercial plans usually pay more; local rates differ by area.
Why do I get separate bills for a facet nerve ablation (radiofrequency)?
The surgery center bills for the facility; the surgeon's group bills for the operation (Surgeon, CPT 64635, about $173 from Medicare nationally); labs, imaging, pathology and therapy each come from their own provider.
What does the surgeon's fee include?
10-day global: covers the operation and 10 days of routine follow-up.