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Repeat Expansion Test, Inherited Ataxia

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 81178

A laboratory test on a blood sample that measures a short stretch of DNA that is normally repeated a set number of times within a single gene. An abnormally high number of repeats causes an inherited disorder of balance, coordination and speech that develops gradually over years. The test is used to confirm a diagnosis in someone with symptoms, or to test a relative of an affected person.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Repeat Expansion Test, Inherited Ataxia cost?

$132

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $132 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $126 from a physician practice, and about $269 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$126$89.13 to $166
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$269$110 to $479

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $269 · 10th to 90th $110 to $617Professionalmedian $126 · 10th to 90th $62 to $209
$100$200$500facility $269professional $126

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$165.96
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$436.52
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$218.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$616.60
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$208.93
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$162.18
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$144.54
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
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$33.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$186.21

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.5 times more in Texas than in Alabama. 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

$132

TX $347AL $63.10

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.