Alaska

Cost of a Skin Biopsy Visit
in Alaska

Name: Skin Biopsy Cost in Alaska (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Alaska's remote geography and limited healthcare infrastructure create unique challenges for specialist care, with dermatology services particularly scarce in rural communities. Skin Biopsy visits in Alaska show considerable price variation based on location and facility type, though specific cost data remains limited due to the state's concentrated provider network. Alaska maintains several active Skin Biopsy providers primarily concentrated in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and patients can browse all available providers throughout the state.

Average

$85

Median

$80

Lowest

$80

Highest

$95

Providers

372

National avg: $124Alaska: $85

32% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does skin biopsy compare to related procedures in Alaska?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
Joint Injection Injection into a major joint or bursa	20610	$80	$80	$85	375
Abscess Drainage (I&D) Incision and drainage of abscess, simple	10060	$80	$80	$348	383
Blood Draw (Venipuncture) Routine venipuncture for blood sample	36415	$3	$80	$85	401

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 11102 — Tangential biopsy of skin, single lesion). 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 11102 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 11102 (Tangential biopsy of skin, single lesion), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 11102 covers: the provider's professional fee for skin biopsy. 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 Skin Biopsy Visit Costs Vary Across Alaska

Alaska's healthcare costs run approximately 35% above national averages, driven by extreme geographic challenges and limited provider competition. The state's vast distances and harsh climate create unique logistical costs that providers pass on to patients and insurers.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most dermatology specialists concentrate in Anchorage and Fairbanks, leaving rural communities dependent on traveling providers or telehealth consultations. Bush communities often require expensive medical flights to access specialist care, with some patients traveling hundreds of miles for Skin Biopsy visits. This geographic disparity creates significant cost and access barriers for rural Alaskans.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient clinics dominate Alaska's specialist market due to high overhead costs that independent practices struggle to sustain. Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital operate most specialist clinics in Anchorage. Rural facilities face extreme overhead costs from heating, equipment transport, and staff retention incentives.

Insurance Market Competition in Alaska

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield dominates Alaska's individual and group insurance markets with limited competition from other carriers. This market concentration reduces competitive pressure on negotiated rates, contributing to higher healthcare costs statewide. The small population base limits insurers' ability to spread risk and negotiate aggressive discounts.

Physician Supply and Demand in Alaska

Alaska faces chronic specialist shortages with many dermatologists serving the entire state on rotating schedules. Limited residency programs and harsh living conditions make physician recruitment challenging, creating supply constraints that drive up pricing. Wait times for specialist appointments often exceed national averages due to provider scarcity.

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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 — Skin Biopsy Costs in Alaska

What is the average cost of a Skin Biopsy visit in Alaska without insurance?

Without insurance, Skin Biopsy visits in Alaska typically range from $200-600 depending on the facility type and complexity of the examination. Rural providers often charge higher rates due to overhead costs and limited competition. Hospital-based clinics generally cost more than independent dermatology practices, and additional procedures like biopsies incur separate charges.

Does Alaska Medicaid cover Skin Biopsy visits?

Alaska Medicaid covers medically necessary Skin Biopsy visits following the state's expansion in 2015. Prior authorization may be required for certain procedures, and patients should verify their provider accepts Medicaid before scheduling. Coverage includes both diagnostic visits for concerning lesions and routine screenings for high-risk patients with documented medical necessity.

How do I find an affordable Skin Biopsy near me in Alaska?

Compare costs between hospital-based clinics and independent practices, as independents often charge 20-40% less for the same services. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks for sliding-scale fees. Telehealth consultations can help determine if an in-person visit is necessary, potentially saving travel costs for rural residents.

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

Based on negotiated rates in Alaska, initial Skin Biopsy consultations typically cost around $80 according to available data, though comprehensive cost ranges vary by provider. Follow-up visits generally cost 20-30% less than new patient appointments since they require less time and documentation. The specific difference depends on your insurance plan's copay structure and whether additional procedures are performed during the visit.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Skin Biopsy visit in Alaska?

Yes, Skin Biopsy visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. This includes copays, deductibles, and any additional procedures performed during the visit. Keep receipts for reimbursement, and remember that HSA funds roll over annually while FSA funds typically must be used within the plan year.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Skin Biopsy in Alaska?

Telemedicine consultations typically cost 30-50% less than in-person visits and are particularly valuable for Alaska residents in remote communities. Many dermatologists use telehealth for initial screenings and follow-up visits, though suspicious lesions ultimately require in-person examination. Alaska's telehealth infrastructure has expanded significantly, with most major insurers covering virtual dermatology consultations at the same rate as in-person visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$78

$200

Office visit (CPT 11102)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $62 – $387	$200	$62	$387	1,093
2	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $35 – $387	$187	$35	$387	65
3	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $103 – $251	$182	$103	$251	3,676
4	Connecticut(CT) Range: $47 – $387	$181	$47	$387	429
5	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $60 – $387	$181	$60	$387	7,209
6	New York(NY) Range: $49 – $387	$179	$49	$387	30,315
7	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $34 – $387	$173	$34	$387	1,062
8	West Virginia(WV) Range: $34 – $387	$171	$34	$387	98
9	Delaware(DE) Range: $33 – $387	$169	$33	$387	87
10	Nebraska(NE) Range: $47 – $242	$167	$47	$242	2,192
11	Maine(ME) Range: $100 – $206	$164	$100	$206	1,552
12	Wyoming(WY) Range: $53 – $307	$150	$53	$307	183
13	Vermont(VT) Range: $73 – $249	$149	$73	$249	338
14	North Dakota(ND) Range: $42 – $300	$146	$42	$300	58
15	Minnesota(MN) Range: $33 – $310	$144	$33	$310	602
16	Iowa(IA) Range: $54 – $251	$143	$54	$251	490
17	Utah(UT) Range: $54 – $220	$130	$54	$220	394
18	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $34 – $250	$127	$34	$250	337
19	Oregon(OR) Range: $54 – $242	$126	$54	$242	368
20	South Dakota(SD) Range: $38 – $242	$123	$38	$242	70
21	New Mexico(NM) Range: $46 – $221	$119	$46	$221	1,247
22	Illinois(IL) Range: $37 – $230	$118	$37	$230	7,576
23	Washington(WA) Range: $52 – $220	$118	$52	$220	4,477
24	Georgia(GA) Range: $39 – $219	$117	$39	$219	3,344
25	Florida(FL) Range: $33 – $229	$115	$33	$229	3,597
26	Colorado(CO) Range: $43 – $221	$115	$43	$221	1,439
27	North Carolina(NC) Range: $39 – $209	$114	$39	$209	2,357
28	California(CA) Range: $80 – $171	$112	$80	$171	12,818
29	Indiana(IN) Range: $35 – $211	$110	$35	$211	448
30	Michigan(MI) Range: $38 – $201	$110	$38	$201	1,955
31	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $21 – $230	$108	$21	$230	6,548
32	Hawaii(HI) Range: $37 – $200	$107	$37	$200	84
33	Texas(TX) Range: $34 – $194	$105	$34	$194	10,370
34	Maryland(MD) Range: $34 – $203	$104	$34	$203	4,018
35	South Carolina(SC) Range: $34 – $186	$102	$34	$186	1,127
36	Nevada(NV) Range: $72 – $145	$101	$72	$145	2,515
37	Virginia(VA) Range: $30 – $193	$101	$30	$193	2,833
38	Idaho(ID) Range: $47 – $175	$101	$47	$175	247
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $32 – $187	$99	$32	$187	1,061
40	Missouri(MO) Range: $36 – $136	$94	$36	$136	5,334
41	Ohio(OH) Range: $30 – $164	$94	$30	$164	4,523
42	Louisiana(LA) Range: $31 – $170	$94	$31	$170	925
43	Tennessee(TN) Range: $36 – $160	$94	$36	$160	2,458
44	Kentucky(KY) Range: $50 – $144	$91	$50	$144	1,067
45	Arkansas(AR) Range: $39 – $146	$90	$39	$146	131
46	Kansas(KS) Range: $36 – $140	$90	$36	$140	1,763
47	Montana(MT) Range: $80 – $108	$89	$80	$108	312
48	Alabama(AL) Range: $31 – $152	$88	$31	$152	2,408
49	Mississippi(MS) Range: $32 – $152	$88	$32	$152	1,302
50	Alaska(AK) Range: $80 – $95	$85	$80	$95	372
51	Arizona(AZ) Range: $32 – $132	$78	$32	$132	5,161