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District of Columbia

Cost of a Skin Biopsy Visit
in District of Columbia

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

District of Columbia leads the nation in healthcare spending per capita at over $12,000 annually, creating a unique cost environment for specialty care including Skin Biopsy services. Based on negotiated insurance rates, patients typically pay between $34 and $250 for a skin biopsy procedure, with a median cost of $97. With 337 active dermatology and pathology providers across the District, patients have access to numerous specialists offering skin biopsy services throughout the region.

Average

$127

Median

$97

Lowest

$34

Highest

$250

Providers

337

National avg: $124District of Columbia: $127

2% above national average

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How does skin biopsy compare to related procedures in District of Columbia?

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20610$40$88$221364
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36415$1$4$80379

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 11102Tangential 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.

Why Skin Biopsy Visit Costs Vary Across District of Columbia

Healthcare costs in District of Columbia run approximately 20% above the national average, driven by high real estate costs, elevated physician salaries, and a concentration of academic medical centers. The District's small geographic area creates a unique market where patients have access to numerous specialists within a compact region.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

District of Columbia's entirely urban geography concentrates dermatology providers in key corridors like Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill areas. This urban density creates competition among providers but also drives up overhead costs due to premium commercial real estate prices in the nation's capital.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based dermatology clinics affiliated with George Washington University Hospital, MedStar Georgetown, and Children's National Hospital typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices. Academic medical centers command premium rates due to their teaching hospital status and specialized equipment capabilities.

Insurance Market Competition in District of Columbia

The District's insurance market is relatively concentrated with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield holding significant market share alongside United Healthcare and Aetna. This concentration can limit negotiating power for providers but creates consistent coverage patterns and established referral networks across the region.

Physician Supply and Demand in District of Columbia

With 337 active providers offering skin biopsy services, District of Columbia has one of the highest per-capita concentrations of dermatology specialists in the nation. This robust supply helps moderate pricing pressures and typically results in shorter wait times for appointments compared to rural areas.

JP

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 District of Columbia

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

Without insurance, skin biopsy costs in District of Columbia typically range from $34 to $250, with a median cost of $97 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients may be able to negotiate discounts of 10-30% with many dermatology practices. The final cost depends on the type of biopsy performed and whether it's done in a hospital-based clinic or independent practice.

Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover Skin Biopsy visits?

Yes, District of Columbia expanded Medicaid provides comprehensive coverage for medically necessary skin biopsies and dermatology consultations. With over 280,000 residents covered under Medicaid expansion, patients can access skin biopsy services with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Prior authorization may be required for certain procedures, and patients should verify their dermatologist accepts Medicaid before scheduling.

How do I find an affordable Skin Biopsy near me in District of Columbia?

Compare costs between hospital-based clinics and independent dermatology practices, as independent offices typically charge less than academic medical centers. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that offer sliding scale fees. Some practices also offer package pricing for multiple biopsies performed during the same visit.

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

Initial dermatology consultations for new patients typically cost more than follow-up visits, though specific cost data for consultation visits isn't available in our District of Columbia dataset. The skin biopsy procedure itself, with a median cost of $97, is often performed during the initial visit. Follow-up visits to discuss biopsy results are usually shorter appointments with lower facility and provider fees.

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

Yes, skin biopsy procedures and dermatology consultations qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the procedure, copays, deductibles, and any related pathology fees. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement or tax purposes.

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

While skin biopsies require in-person procedures, many dermatologists in District of Columbia offer initial telemedicine consultations for lesion evaluation using high-quality photos. These virtual visits typically cost $100-200 less than in-person consultations and can help determine if a biopsy is necessary. However, the actual biopsy procedure must be performed in person at a medical facility.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$78
$200

Office visit (CPT 11102)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Massachusetts
Range: $62$387
$200
2Rhode Island
Range: $35$387
$187
3New Hampshire
Range: $103$251
$182
4Connecticut
Range: $47$387
$181
5Wisconsin
Range: $60$387
$181
6New York
Range: $49$387
$179
7Pennsylvania
Range: $34$387
$173
8West Virginia
Range: $34$387
$171
9Delaware
Range: $33$387
$169
10Nebraska
Range: $47$242
$167
11Maine
Range: $100$206
$164
12Wyoming
Range: $53$307
$150
13Vermont
Range: $73$249
$149
14North Dakota
Range: $42$300
$146
15Minnesota
Range: $33$310
$144
16Iowa
Range: $54$251
$143
17Utah
Range: $54$220
$130
18District of Columbia
Range: $34$250
$127
19Oregon
Range: $54$242
$126
20South Dakota
Range: $38$242
$123
21New Mexico
Range: $46$221
$119
22Illinois
Range: $37$230
$118
23Washington
Range: $52$220
$118
24Georgia
Range: $39$219
$117
25Florida
Range: $33$229
$115
26Colorado
Range: $43$221
$115
27North Carolina
Range: $39$209
$114
28California
Range: $80$171
$112
29Indiana
Range: $35$211
$110
30Michigan
Range: $38$201
$110
31New Jersey
Range: $21$230
$108
32Hawaii
Range: $37$200
$107
33Texas
Range: $34$194
$105
34Maryland
Range: $34$203
$104
35South Carolina
Range: $34$186
$102
36Nevada
Range: $72$145
$101
37Virginia
Range: $30$193
$101
38Idaho
Range: $47$175
$101
39Oklahoma
Range: $32$187
$99
40Missouri
Range: $36$136
$94
41Ohio
Range: $30$164
$94
42Louisiana
Range: $31$170
$94
43Tennessee
Range: $36$160
$94
44Kentucky
Range: $50$144
$91
45Arkansas
Range: $39$146
$90
46Kansas
Range: $36$140
$90
47Montana
Range: $80$108
$89
48Alabama
Range: $31$152
$88
49Mississippi
Range: $32$152
$88
50Alaska
Range: $80$95
$85
51Arizona
Range: $32$132
$78
Skin Biopsy in Other States