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Corneal Surface Sample For Infection Testing

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 65430

This is the collection of a small sample of cells or material from the surface of the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye, to check for an infection under a microscope and in a laboratory culture. It's used when an eye infection is suspected and the specific cause needs to be identified to choose the right treatment. The sample is taken with a gentle scraping motion, typically after numbing the eye.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Corneal Surface Sample For Infection Testing cost?

$138

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $138 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $141 from a physician practice, and about $105 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$141$110 to $214
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$105$72.44 to $204

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $105 · 10th to 90th $54 to $891Professionalmedian $141 · 10th to 90th $98 to $302
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $105professional $141

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
$97.72
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$5,248.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$177.83
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$109.65
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$109.65
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$316.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$186.21
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$223.87
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$154.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$478.63
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$1,096.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$234.42
7 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
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$64.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$25.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$19.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$12.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$707.95
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$239.88

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.5 times more in Alaska than in Florida. 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· 28th of 51

$138

AK $407FL $91.20

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.