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Gene Activity Test For Lung Scarring

California rates for HCPCS 81554

A laboratory test performed on small pieces of lung tissue that measures the activity of a large set of genes and turns the pattern into a single categorical answer. The result helps doctors work out whether a particular scarring pattern is present in the lungs, so a diagnosis can often be reached without a larger surgical lung biopsy.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Gene Activity Test For Lung Scarring cost?

$5,370

Typical negotiated rate. In California, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,370 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4,677 from a physician practice, and about $11,220 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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4,677$2,754 to $23,442
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$11,220$7,079 to $23,988

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $11,220 · 10th to 90th $4,677 to $44,668Professionalmedian $4,677 · 10th to 90th $2,188 to $40,738
$100$1K$10Kfacility $11,220professional $4,677

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
$4,570.88
Median
$12,022.64
Typical High
$28,183.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,168.69
Median
$4,677.35
Typical High
$4,677.35
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6,606.93
Median
$9,772.37
Typical High
$26,915.35
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,187.76
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$19,952.62
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7,244.36
Median
$31,622.78
Typical High
$58,884.37
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$3,548.13
Typical High
$9,549.93
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,801.89
Median
$9,549.93
Typical High
$17,378.01
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$26,915.35
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,370.32
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$7,244.36
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,897.79
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$14,454.40
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26,915.35
Median
$40,738.03
Typical High
$40,738.03
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,168.69
Median
$7,244.36
Typical High
$16,982.44
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,951.21
Median
$6,309.57
Typical High
$26,915.35
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$2,290.87
Typical High
$5,370.32
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$23,988.33
4 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$5,888.44
Typical High
$14,125.38
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$5,754.40
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$2,344.23
Typical High
$2,344.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$933.25

Where California sits

The same service costs 6.2 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.

California· 27th of 51

$5,370

TX $14,125AL $2,291

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.