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Thyroid Nodule Gene Activity Test

California rates for HCPCS 81546

Analyzes the activity of a large number of genes in cells drawn out of a thyroid nodule with a fine needle. It is used when the usual microscope examination of those cells could not say whether the nodule is harmless, and the result is reported as benign or suspicious to help decide whether surgery is needed.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Thyroid Nodule Gene Activity Test cost?

$3,715

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,715 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3,090 from a physician practice, and about $8,318 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 10 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$3,090$2,138 to $5,129
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8,318$5,754 to $15,488

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $8,318 · 10th to 90th $3,090 to $20,893Professionalmedian $3,090 · 10th to 90th $1,479 to $17,783
$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $8,318professional $3,090

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
$4,466.84
Median
$8,128.31
Typical High
$21,379.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,137.96
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$23,988.33
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,698.24
Median
$9,120.11
Typical High
$18,197.01
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$2,187.76
Typical High
$6,918.31
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$15,488.17
Typical High
$35,481.34
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$5,011.87
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,454.71
Median
$6,309.57
Typical High
$12,882.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$10,471.29
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$4,897.79
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,235.94
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$6,309.57
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16,982.44
Median
$16,982.44
Typical High
$16,982.44
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17,782.79
Median
$26,915.35
Typical High
$26,915.35
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,754.23
Median
$4,365.16
Typical High
$9,332.54
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,905.46
Median
$3,801.89
Typical High
$7,585.78
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$43,651.58
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$4,168.69
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$1,513.56
Typical High
$8,128.31

Where California sits

The same service costs 3.4 times more in Alaska than in Delaware. 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.

California· 12th of 51

$3,715

AK $8,128DE $2,399

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.