go back

Antibiotic Effectiveness Panel For Bacteria

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 87186

After bacteria from an infection are grown in the laboratory, this test exposes them to a panel of different antibiotics at varying strengths to determine which drugs are strong enough to stop them from growing. The result helps a clinician choose an antibiotic that is likely to work rather than one the bacteria can resist. It is typically ordered after a culture has already identified the type of bacteria present.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Antibiotic Effectiveness Panel For Bacteria cost?

$6.92

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.92 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $6.17 to $12.02.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $15 · 10th to 90th $6 to $27Professionalmedian $7 · 10th to 90th $5 to $15
$5$10$20$50facility $15professional $7

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
$6.46
Median
$15.49
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$6.46
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$12.02
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$14.45
Typical High
$32.36
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$64.57
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$18.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$14.79

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 13.2 times more in Vermont than in Maryland. 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.

Washington, DC· 47th of 51

$6.92

VT $85.11MD $6.46

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.