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Thyroid Nodule Gene Activity Test

North Carolina 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 October 2026.

How much does Thyroid Nodule Gene Activity Test cost?

$3,631

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3,631 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3,631 from a physician practice, and about $7,079 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$3,631$2,884 to $5,495
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$7,079$2,884 to $12,589

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7,079 · 10th to 90th $2,884 to $16,218Professionalmedian $3,631 · 10th to 90th $1,820 to $9,550
$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $7,079professional $3,631

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
$2,570.40
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$2,884.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,818.38
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$3,388.44
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,943.28
Median
$9,772.37
Typical High
$11,481.54
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,090.30
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$11,481.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$9,549.93
Typical High
$16,218.10
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,659.59
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$5,623.41
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,884.03
Median
$2,884.03
Typical High
$4,265.80
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$6,165.95
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$3,715.35
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
$1,412.54
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,698.24
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$676.08
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$1,819.70
Median
$1,819.70
Typical High
$4,677.35

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.4 times more in Alaska 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· 24th of 51

$3,631

AK $8,128AL $1,514

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.