go back

Mycobacteria Identification From Culture

Alabama rates for HCPCS 87118

This is a laboratory test that identifies the specific type of mycobacteria growing in a culture sample, such as the bacteria that cause tuberculosis or related infections. Once a culture shows mycobacterial growth, this additional testing pins down exactly which species is present, which helps guide the choice of treatment. It's performed on a sample that has already been grown in the lab, rather than being the initial culture step itself.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Mycobacteria Identification From Culture cost?

$10.47

Typical negotiated rate. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $10.47 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $8.91 from a physician practice, and about $10.47 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$8.91$6.46 to $16.98
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$10.47$10.47 to $10.47

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $10 · 10th to 90th $10 to $12Professionalmedian $9 · 10th to 90th $6 to $17
$10$20$50facility $10professional $9

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
$16.98
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$16.98
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$10.47
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
21 + 22 · Increased work + 24 · Unrelated visit after surgery + 31 + 55 · Aftercare only + 99 · Multiple modifiers
Typical Low
$7.59
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$11.22
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$6.76
Typical High
$63.10
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$30.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$8.91
2 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
$6.03
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$8.32
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$3.39

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 3.7 times more in Alaska than in Kentucky. 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.

Alabama· 48th of 51

$10.47

AK $33.11KY $8.91

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.