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North Carolina

Cost of a Skin Biopsy Visit
in North Carolina

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below the national average, offering patients more affordable access to specialized care including dermatological procedures. For a Skin Biopsy procedure, patients across the state can expect negotiated rates ranging from $38.76 to $208.75, with a typical median cost of $94.23 based on current insurance agreements. With over 2,300 active providers offering skin biopsy services throughout North Carolina, patients have substantial options when selecting an in-network specialist for their dermatological needs.

Average

$114

Median

$94

Lowest

$39

Highest

$209

Providers

2,357

National avg: $124North Carolina: $114

8% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does skin biopsy compare to related procedures in North Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Joint Injection

Injection into a major joint or bursa

20610$45$80$1582,572
Abscess Drainage (I&D)

Incision and drainage of abscess, simple

10060$77$129$2972,542
Blood Draw (Venipuncture)

Routine venipuncture for blood sample

36415$2$3$852,799

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 North Carolina

North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's moderate cost of living and competitive provider market. The growing ambulatory surgery center market has increased competition and helped moderate pricing for outpatient procedures like skin biopsies.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas boast high concentrations of dermatologists, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times. Rural counties in the mountains and eastern plains often have limited specialist access, requiring patients to travel to urban centers and potentially face higher costs. This geographic disparity means patients in Asheville or Wilmington may pay more due to limited local competition.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Major health systems like Atrium Health in Charlotte and Duke Health in the Triangle often charge premium rates due to higher overhead and academic affiliations. Independent dermatology practices typically offer more competitive pricing, especially in suburban markets where rent and staffing costs are lower. Ambulatory surgery centers have emerged as a cost-effective middle ground for outpatient procedures.

Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina

The state's competitive insurance market with BCBS NC, UHC, and Aetna has driven aggressive rate negotiations with providers. This competition benefits patients through lower negotiated rates, though network restrictions can limit provider choice. Regional insurers and self-funded employer plans add further complexity to the pricing landscape.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina

With over 2,300 providers offering skin biopsy services statewide, North Carolina maintains adequate specialist supply in most regions. This healthy provider-to-population ratio helps keep costs reasonable and reduces wait times compared to underserved states. However, subspecialists in areas like dermatopathology remain concentrated in major medical centers, potentially affecting pricing for complex cases.

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 North Carolina

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

Uninsured patients in North Carolina can expect to pay between $38.76 and $208.75 for a skin biopsy procedure, with a median cost around $94.23 based on current negotiated rates. Many dermatology practices offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for patients paying at the time of service. Additional costs may include pathology analysis fees, which typically range from $50-150 depending on the complexity of the examination required.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Skin Biopsy visits?

Yes, North Carolina Medicaid covers medically necessary skin biopsies when performed by enrolled providers and deemed clinically appropriate. However, North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, which limits eligibility to specific categories like pregnant women, children, disabled individuals, and very low-income adults. Patients must obtain prior authorization for some dermatological procedures, and coverage may require referral from a primary care physician depending on the managed care plan.

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

Compare costs between independent dermatology practices and hospital-affiliated clinics, as independents often charge 40-60% less for the same procedures. Look for community health centers in areas like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro that offer sliding scale fees based on income. Many practices offer cash-pay discounts or payment plans, and ambulatory surgery centers provide a middle-ground option between hospital and clinic pricing.

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

Initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required during first appointments. New patient visits often involve detailed medical history, full-body skin examinations, and treatment planning, while established patient follow-ups focus on specific concerns or biopsy results. The actual biopsy procedure cost of $38.76 to $208.75 remains consistent regardless of whether it's performed during an initial or follow-up visit.

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

Yes, skin biopsy procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses under both HSA and FSA plans when medically necessary. You can use these tax-advantaged accounts to pay for the procedure, associated pathology fees, and any required follow-up visits. Keep detailed receipts for reimbursement purposes, and note that cosmetic procedures or biopsies for purely aesthetic reasons may not qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

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

While telemedicine consultations cost significantly less than in-person visits (typically $50-150), actual skin biopsies require physical examination and tissue sampling that cannot be performed remotely. However, telemedicine can be valuable for initial consultations, biopsy result discussions, or follow-up care after procedures. North Carolina has expanded telehealth coverage since 2020, and many insurers now cover dermatology teleconsultations at the same rate as office visits.

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