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Sickle Cell Adhesion Test, VCAM-1

Alabama rates for HCPCS 0121U

Measures how strongly a person's blood cells stick to VCAM-1, a protein on the lining of blood vessels, using a whole blood sample. Sticking of this kind contributes to the blockages seen in sickle cell disease. A companion test measures adhesion to P-selectin instead.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Sickle Cell Adhesion Test, VCAM-1 cost?

$589

Typical negotiated rate. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $589 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $257 from a physician practice, and about $589 from a hospital or other facility.

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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$257$214 to $309
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$589$589 to $589

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $589 · 10th to 90th $589 to $589Professionalmedian $257 · 10th to 90th $214 to $513
$200$500$1Kfacility $589professional $257

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$776.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$436.52
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$588.84
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
21 + 22 · Increased work + 24 · Unrelated visit after surgery + 31 + 55 · Aftercare only + 99 · Multiple modifiers
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$331.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$1,621.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$724.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$512.86
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$309.03
3 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$588.84
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$295.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 4.5 times more in Alaska than in Mississippi. 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.

Alabama· 9th of 51

$589

AK $955MS $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.