Tennessee

Cost of a Abscess Drainage Visit
in Tennessee

Name: Abscess Drainage (I&D) Cost in Tennessee (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Tennessee's healthcare market operates with costs running approximately 4% below national averages, creating more accessible pricing for specialized procedures across the state's diverse urban and rural regions. Abscess Drainage patients typically pay between $83 and $204, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $118 based on negotiated insurance rates from over 2,500 active providers throughout Tennessee. The state's mix of academic medical centers in Nashville and Memphis, combined with community hospitals serving rural counties, offers patients multiple options for finding quality care at competitive rates.

Average

$135

Median

$118

Lowest

$83

Highest

$204

Providers

2,536

National avg: $180Tennessee: $135

25% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does abscess drainage (i&d) compare to related procedures in Tennessee?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
Skin Biopsy Tangential biopsy of skin	11102	$36	$85	$160	2,458
Joint Injection Injection into a major joint or bursa	20610	$42	$67	$111	2,682
Blood Draw (Venipuncture) Routine venipuncture for blood sample	36415	$2	$5	$85	2,911

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 10060 — Incision and drainage of abscess, simple). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 10060 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess, simple), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 10060 covers: the provider's professional fee for abscess drainage (i&d). It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Abscess Drainage Visit Costs Vary Across Tennessee

Tennessee's healthcare costs run approximately 4% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower overall cost of living and competitive provider market spanning from Memphis medical complexes to rural Appalachian clinics. The state's geographic diversity creates significant cost variation, with metropolitan Nashville and Memphis commanding premium rates while smaller markets like Cookeville and Jackson offer more affordable alternatives.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Tennessee's 95 counties range from densely populated Davidson County with multiple academic medical centers to remote rural counties in East Tennessee where patients may travel over an hour for specialized care. Urban areas like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville benefit from provider competition that helps contain costs, while rural regions face limited options that can drive prices higher due to lack of alternatives. The state's mountainous eastern region particularly struggles with healthcare access, often requiring patients to seek care in larger cities.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Major health systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and HCA Healthcare operate numerous facilities across Tennessee, with hospital-owned outpatient clinics typically charging higher facility fees than independent practices. Academic medical centers in Nashville and Memphis often have the highest overhead costs, while community hospitals and urgent care chains offer more moderate pricing. Independent physician practices and dermatology clinics generally provide the most cost-effective option for routine Abscess Drainage procedures.

Insurance Market Competition in Tennessee

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee maintains the largest market share statewide, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, creating moderate competition that helps negotiate reasonable provider rates. The individual marketplace offers limited insurer choices in many counties, reducing competitive pressure on pricing compared to employer-sponsored plans. Rural counties often have fewer insurance options, giving dominant insurers more leverage in rate negotiations with local providers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Tennessee

With over 2,500 providers capable of performing Abscess Drainage procedures, Tennessee maintains adequate physician supply in urban areas while facing shortages in rural regions, particularly in the eastern counties. This geographic imbalance means shorter wait times and competitive pricing in Nashville and Memphis, while rural areas may have limited availability and higher costs due to provider scarcity. The state's physician-friendly regulatory environment helps attract providers, though recruitment to underserved rural areas remains challenging.

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Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Abscess Drainage Costs in Tennessee

What is the average cost of a Abscess Drainage visit in Tennessee without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Tennessee typically pay between $83 and $204 for Abscess Drainage procedures, with a median cost of $118 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-50% for patients paying at time of service. Independent clinics and urgent care centers usually charge less than hospital-based outpatient departments for the same procedure.

Does Tennessee Medicaid cover Abscess Drainage visits?

Tennessee's TennCare Medicaid program covers medically necessary Abscess Drainage procedures for eligible recipients with minimal copays. However, Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, leaving many low-income adults without coverage options if they earn too much for traditional Medicaid but too little for marketplace subsidies. Covered members typically need to use in-network providers and may require prior authorization for certain facility settings.

How do I find an affordable Abscess Drainage near me in Tennessee?

Compare costs between urgent care centers, dermatology offices, and family medicine practices, as these often charge significantly less than hospital emergency departments for non-urgent drainage procedures. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers which offer sliding scale fees based on income. Avoid hospital-based outpatient clinics unless medically necessary, as they typically charge facility fees that can double your total cost.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial consultations for Abscess Drainage typically cost between $83-$204, which usually includes the drainage procedure itself rather than being a separate consultation fee. Follow-up visits for wound checks and dressing changes generally cost $50-$100 less than the initial procedure visit. Many providers include one follow-up visit in their initial procedure fee, so ask about bundled pricing when scheduling your drainage procedure.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Abscess Drainage visit in Tennessee?

Yes, Abscess Drainage procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) since they treat a medical condition. You can use these pre-tax dollars for copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs related to the procedure. Keep receipts for reimbursement documentation, and remember that over-the-counter wound care supplies prescribed by your provider may also be HSA/FSA eligible.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Abscess Drainage in Tennessee?

Telemedicine cannot replace in-person Abscess Drainage procedures, which require physical examination and hands-on treatment, but virtual consultations can help determine if drainage is necessary before an in-person visit. Some Tennessee providers offer telehealth follow-up appointments for wound monitoring at reduced rates compared to office visits. Insurance coverage for telemedicine varies, though most major insurers in Tennessee now cover virtual consultations at similar rates to in-person visits when clinically appropriate.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$92

$317

Office visit (CPT 10060)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $779	$317	$73	$779	7,190
2	North Dakota(ND) Range: $80 – $611	$277	$80	$611	58
3	Iowa(IA) Range: $85 – $502	$267	$85	$502	624
4	Minnesota(MN) Range: $80 – $540	$256	$80	$540	733
5	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $80 – $464	$237	$80	$464	1,389
6	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $80 – $464	$237	$80	$464	88
7	Illinois(IL) Range: $80 – $459	$230	$80	$459	9,075
8	Connecticut(CT) Range: $80 – $464	$230	$80	$464	448
9	Nebraska(NE) Range: $119 – $308	$228	$119	$308	2,198
10	New York(NY) Range: $81 – $464	$227	$81	$464	31,147
11	Delaware(DE) Range: $76 – $464	$219	$76	$464	100
12	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $73 – $464	$219	$73	$464	1,455
13	Michigan(MI) Range: $80 – $464	$216	$80	$464	2,466
14	West Virginia(WV) Range: $80 – $456	$216	$80	$456	141
15	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $112 – $303	$214	$112	$303	3,686
16	Indiana(IN) Range: $80 – $456	$210	$80	$456	651
17	Georgia(GA) Range: $83 – $397	$209	$83	$397	3,461
18	Wyoming(WY) Range: $80 – $372	$206	$80	$372	189
19	Maine(ME) Range: $126 – $254	$200	$126	$254	1,552
20	Oregon(OR) Range: $80 – $387	$195	$80	$387	418
21	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $76 – $346	$194	$76	$346	360
22	Washington(WA) Range: $80 – $324	$182	$80	$324	4,526
23	South Dakota(SD) Range: $83 – $309	$178	$83	$309	68
24	Vermont(VT) Range: $95 – $290	$178	$95	$290	340
25	New Mexico(NM) Range: $85 – $274	$172	$85	$274	1,264
26	Alaska(AK) Range: $80 – $348	$169	$80	$348	383
27	Colorado(CO) Range: $62 – $309	$168	$62	$309	1,617
28	North Carolina(NC) Range: $77 – $297	$168	$77	$297	2,542
29	Utah(UT) Range: $40 – $278	$168	$40	$278	421
30	Kentucky(KY) Range: $80 – $308	$167	$80	$308	271
31	Hawaii(HI) Range: $80 – $308	$166	$80	$308	98
32	Montana(MT) Range: $80 – $308	$156	$80	$308	314
33	Idaho(ID) Range: $80 – $289	$155	$80	$289	218
34	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $44 – $306	$151	$44	$306	6,608
35	Arkansas(AR) Range: $85 – $224	$149	$85	$224	129
36	Maryland(MD) Range: $71 – $254	$145	$71	$254	4,075
37	Texas(TX) Range: $80 – $233	$142	$80	$233	9,771
38	Virginia(VA) Range: $67 – $244	$140	$67	$244	2,969
39	South Carolina(SC) Range: $80 – $232	$140	$80	$232	1,417
40	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $79 – $227	$137	$79	$227	1,113
41	Tennessee(TN) Range: $83 – $204	$135	$83	$204	2,536
42	Louisiana(LA) Range: $76 – $211	$132	$76	$211	943
43	Missouri(MO) Range: $81 – $178	$131	$81	$178	5,522
44	Kansas(KS) Range: $88 – $177	$129	$88	$177	1,829
45	Alabama(AL) Range: $76 – $203	$127	$76	$203	2,685
46	Ohio(OH) Range: $63 – $206	$124	$63	$206	4,671
47	Arizona(AZ) Range: $80 – $192	$124	$80	$192	5,591
48	Mississippi(MS) Range: $79 – $187	$124	$79	$187	1,303
49	California(CA) Range: $15 – $264	$122	$15	$264	14,233
50	Nevada(NV) Range: $30 – $189	$102	$30	$189	2,772
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $187	$92	$35	$187	5,397