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Darkfield Microscope Exam for Spirochetes

Maryland rates for HCPCS 87166

Examination of fluid or scrapings under a microscope arranged so that light strikes the sample from the side, making extremely thin corkscrew-shaped bacteria stand out bright against a dark background. It is used mainly to look for the organism that causes syphilis in fluid taken from a sore, and it can give an answer straight away.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Darkfield Microscope Exam for Spirochetes cost?

$8.51

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $8.51 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $7.41 to $9.12.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $8 · 10th to 90th $6 to $45Professionalmedian $9 · 10th to 90th $6 to $12
$5$10$20$50facility $8professional $9

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$9.12
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$10.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$14.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$11.22
Typical High
$28.18
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.22
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$21.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$44.67
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$9.55
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$10.96
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
$4.17
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.27
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$1.66
Median
$1.70
Typical High
$1.70

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 3.5 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.

Maryland· 45th of 51

$8.51

AK $25.70KY $7.24

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.