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Repeat Expansion Test, Inherited Ataxia

Iowa rates for HCPCS 81179

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?

$145

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $145 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $138 from a physician practice, and about $178 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$138$81.28 to $263
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$178$138 to $302

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $178 · 10th to 90th $138 to $380Professionalmedian $138 · 10th to 90th $81 to $537
$100$200$500facility $178professional $138

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
$107.15
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$389.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$165.96
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$331.13
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$245.47
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$346.74
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$691.83
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$181.97
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$295.12
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$346.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$281.84
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$138.04
2 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
$53.70
Typical High
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$21.38
Typical High
$33.11

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 18th of 51

$145

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.