Ear tubes surgery cost in Mason City, IA
In Mason City, IA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for ear tube placement (tympanostomy) under general anesthesia, one ear: from $32,969.47 to $32,969.47, with a median of $32,969.47. Across Iowa, the median is $387.20 at 19 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 69436, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 31, 2026 and Mar 31, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center Mason City, IA · (641) 428-7000 PR Tympanostomy General Anesthesia | $32,969.47 | — | $1,501.31–$3,361.47 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $32,969.47, median $32,969.47, highest $32,969.47.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is not below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
This procedure makes a tiny opening in the eardrum and places a small tube to let air in and fluid drain out of the middle ear. It is most often done in children with repeated ear infections or lasting fluid behind the eardrum.
What the price covers
The facility price covers the operating room and recovery. The surgeon and anesthesia are usually billed separately, and the code is for one ear.