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Gene Activity Test For Lung Scarring

South Carolina 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 South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5,370 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5,248 from a physician practice, and about $10,965 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$5,248$3,311 to $5,370
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$10,965$5,754 to $20,893

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $10,965 · 10th to 90th $4,266 to $33,884Professionalmedian $5,248 · 10th to 90th $2,630 to $6,607
$5K$10K$20Kfacility $10,965professional $5,248

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
$4,265.80
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$4,265.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,265.80
Median
$4,265.80
Typical High
$4,365.16
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,370.32
Median
$5,370.32
Typical High
$5,888.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10,232.93
Median
$13,803.84
Typical High
$33,884.42
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$2,691.53
Typical High
$6,606.93
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,265.80
Median
$5,128.61
Typical High
$15,848.93
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5,495.41
Median
$5,495.41
Typical High
$7,762.47
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,897.79
Median
$4,897.79
Typical High
$6,456.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2,290.87
Median
$3,311.31
Typical High
$5,495.41
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
$2,137.96
Median
$2,137.96
Typical High
$2,187.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$870.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$2,754.23
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$4,365.16

Where South Carolina 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.

South Carolina· 25th 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.