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Merkel Cell Virus Capsid Antibody Test

North Carolina 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?

$257

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $257 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $257 from a physician practice, and about $380 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 6 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$257$257 to $257
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$380$257 to $1,023

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $380 · 10th to 90th $240 to $1,479Professionalmedian $257 · 10th to 90th $178 to $324
$100$200$500$1Kfacility $380professional $257

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. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$1,071.52
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$257.04
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$1,023.29
Typical High
$1,096.48
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$223.87
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$707.95
Typical High
$1,479.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$489.78
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$338.84
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$269.15
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$426.58
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$354.81
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,548.82
Median
$1,548.82
Typical High
$1,548.82

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 42nd of 51

$257

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.