go back

Manual Blood Sedimentation Rate Test (ESR)

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 85651

This blood test measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube over a set period of time, using a manual laboratory method rather than an automated instrument. A faster settling rate can be a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body, though it does not point to a specific cause.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Manual Blood Sedimentation Rate Test (ESR) cost?

$3.39

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3.39 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.39 from a physician practice, and about $4.47 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.39$2.88 to $4.27
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$4.47$3.39 to $8.13

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $15Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$1$2$5$10facility $4professional $3

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
$3.39
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$8.32
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$4.68
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.70
Median
$1.70
Typical High
$1.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.68
Median
$0.68
Typical High
$0.68
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.07
Median
$2.00
Typical High
$3.47
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$15.49
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$2.75
Typical High
$3.80
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.00
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$5.89
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$6.92
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$7.41
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$7.08
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$4.90

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.4 times more in Alaska than in New Jersey. 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· 50th of 51

$3.39

AK $13.80NJ $3.16

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.