Massachusetts

Cost of a Skin Biopsy Visit
in Massachusetts

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Massachusetts leads the nation with a 97% health insurance coverage rate, yet residents still face significant out-of-pocket costs for specialty procedures like skin biopsies. Patients typically pay between $62 and $387 for a skin biopsy, with a median negotiated rate of $151. With over 1,000 active dermatology and pathology providers across the state, Massachusetts offers extensive options for patients needing skin tissue analysis.

Average

$200

Median

$151

Lowest

$62

Highest

$387

Providers

1,093

National avg: $124Massachusetts: $200

61% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does skin biopsy compare to related procedures in Massachusetts?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
Joint Injection Injection into a major joint or bursa	20610	$55	$88	$538	1,393
Abscess Drainage (I&D) Incision and drainage of abscess, simple	10060	$80	$167	$464	1,389
Blood Draw (Venipuncture) Routine venipuncture for blood sample	36415	$2	$3	$80	2,054

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 Massachusetts

Massachusetts healthcare costs run approximately 20% above the national average, driven by the state's concentration of world-renowned academic medical centers and highly educated physician workforce. The Commonwealth's small geographic footprint means most residents live within 30 miles of Boston, creating intense competition for specialist appointments while maintaining premium pricing.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Greater Boston and Worcester areas host dozens of dermatology practices, while Western Massachusetts counties like Berkshire and Franklin rely heavily on visiting specialists and telemedicine consultations. Rural patients often travel 60+ miles to Springfield or Boston for skin biopsies, adding transportation costs to medical expenses. The provider density difference creates a two-tiered pricing system across the state.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and other major health systems operate most hospital-based dermatology clinics, charging facility fees that can double the total visit cost. Independent dermatology practices remain common in suburban areas like Newton, Wellesley, and Lexington, typically offering more competitive pricing. Academic medical centers affiliated with Harvard Medical School or UMass Medical School often charge premium rates for specialized procedures.

Insurance Market Competition in Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts dominates with roughly 50% market share, followed by Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care creating a moderately competitive landscape. The state's tight insurance regulation keeps premium increases controlled but also maintains higher baseline costs compared to less regulated markets. Insurers negotiate aggressively with the powerful hospital systems, creating wide variation in negotiated rates.

Physician Supply and Demand in Massachusetts

With over 1,000 providers performing skin biopsies statewide, Massachusetts enjoys better specialist access than most states relative to population. However, the concentration of top-tier medical facilities attracts complex cases from across New England, creating longer wait times at premier institutions. The robust physician supply helps moderate costs at independent practices while academic centers maintain premium pricing.

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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 Massachusetts

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

Uninsured patients in Massachusetts typically pay between $62 and $387 for a skin biopsy, with most procedures costing around $151. The final cost depends on the complexity of the biopsy, facility type, and geographic location within the state. Many dermatology practices offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% when patients pay at the time of service, which can significantly reduce these amounts.

Does Massachusetts Medicaid cover Skin Biopsy visits?

Yes, MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) covers medically necessary skin biopsies for enrolled members, including both the dermatology visit and pathology analysis. As an expanded Medicaid state, Massachusetts provides comprehensive coverage for diagnostic procedures when ordered by healthcare providers. Patients may need prior authorization for certain specialized biopsy techniques or multiple lesion removals during the same visit.

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

Compare costs between independent dermatology practices and hospital-based clinics, as independent offices typically charge 30-50% less than academic medical centers. Look for community health centers in your area that offer sliding-scale fees based on income, and ask providers about cash-pay discounts. Consider traveling to suburban areas outside Boston where overhead costs are lower, potentially saving hundreds of dollars on the same procedure.

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

Initial dermatology consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients. However, skin biopsies are often performed during the initial visit when suspicious lesions are identified, with the biopsy procedure (CPT 11102) adding $62-387 to the base consultation fee. Follow-up visits to discuss biopsy results usually involve standard office visit charges without additional procedural costs.

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

Yes, skin biopsies are considered qualified medical expenses eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement when medically necessary. This includes both the dermatology consultation and the biopsy procedure itself, as well as related pathology fees. Keep all receipts and documentation from your Massachusetts healthcare provider for tax and reimbursement purposes.

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

While telemedicine consultations cost significantly less than in-person visits ($50-150 vs $200-400), actual skin biopsies require physical examination and tissue sampling that cannot be performed remotely. However, many Massachusetts dermatologists use telemedicine for initial screenings, follow-up consultations, and biopsy result discussions, reducing overall care costs. Some practices offer hybrid approaches where patients receive remote consultations first, then schedule in-person visits only when biopsies are necessary.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$78