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Merkel Cell Virus Capsid Antibody Test

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 0059U

Used in connection with Merkel cell carcinoma, a skin cancer linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus. It looks in blood serum for the antibody response to the virus's VP1 capsid protein — the coat around the virus — and reports simply whether it is present.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Merkel Cell Virus Capsid Antibody Test cost?

$240

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $240 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $240 from a physician practice, and about $240 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$240$240 to $240
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$240$240 to $389

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $240 · 10th to 90th $240 to $550Professionalmedian $240 · 10th to 90th $240 to $240
$200$500$1Kfacility $240professional $240

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$239.88
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$234.42
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$524.81
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$1,230.27
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$371.54
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$467.74
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$630.96
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$630.96
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$389.05
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$446.68

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 2.6 times more in Hawaii than in Georgia. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Washington, DC· 46th of 51

$240

HI $562GA $214

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.