Is CPT 99281 overcharged?
99281: Emergency department visit, minimal complexity (Emergency)
Approximate Medicare national rate
Source: CMS Physician Fee Schedule CY2026, Oct release (national, non-facility). National amount; actual Medicare payment varies by locality. Facility-setting physician rate: $11.02 (hospital facility fee billed separately).
Hospital outpatient facility rate (OPPS, APC 5021)
Source: CMS OPPS Addendum B, October 2026. At a hospital you usually get two bills: the facility fee (compare to this) and the physician fee (compare to $11.02).
What's a reasonable charge?
Commercial insurers typically pay roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times Medicare. If you were billed more than $33.06 for 99281, ask for an itemized bill, request the provider's cash price, and dispute the difference.
Check your whole bill
Duplicates and unbundling are often worth more than a single high price. Scan your bill free