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Antibiotic Effectiveness Panel For Bacteria

North Carolina 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 North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.92 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.92 from a physician practice, and about $9.77 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$6.92$5.89 to $8.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$9.77$6.92 to $19.05

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $10 · 10th to 90th $7 to $37Professionalmedian $7 · 10th to 90th $4 to $12
$2$5$10$20facility $10professional $7

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
$6.92
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$20.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$12.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$3.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$1.38
Typical High
$1.48
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.14
Typical High
$6.03
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$37.15
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$7.76
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$38.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$5.89
Typical High
$14.13
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$11.75
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.76
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$18.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$15.85
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.76
Median
$6.76
Typical High
$6.76
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$11.75

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 48th 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.