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Antibiotic Sensitivity Test for a Single Drug

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 87188

A laboratory test that checks whether one particular antibiotic can stop the growth of the bacteria found in a patient's sample. It is reported separately for each drug examined, so testing a panel of drugs produces several results.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Antibiotic Sensitivity Test for a Single Drug cost?

$5.75

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.75 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.25 from a physician practice, and about $21.38 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$5.25$5.13 to $5.75
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$21.38$9.33 to $40.74

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $21 · 10th to 90th $5 to $72Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $5 to $10
$5.0$10.0$20.0$50.0$100.0facility $21professional $5

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$31.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.75
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$93.33
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$8.71
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$19.05
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$7.94
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$9.33

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.5 times more in Nebraska than in Washington, DC. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

South Carolina $5.75 · 41st of 51
NE $17.38DC $5.01

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.