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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Alaska rates for HCPCS 87205

This laboratory test applies a special dye to a sample and examines it under a microscope to identify the general type of bacteria, fungi, or cells present. It gives quick, preliminary information about a possible infection, often before slower culture results are available.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$10.96

Typical negotiated rate. In Alaska, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $10.96 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $7.94 from a physician practice, and about $23.44 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 6 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$7.94$4.27 to $13.80
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$23.44$3.89 to $74.13

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $23 · 10th to 90th $4 to $98Professionalmedian $8 · 10th to 90th $4 to $14
$5$10$20$50$100$200facility $23professional $8

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
$14.45
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$14.45
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$11.75
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$6.17
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$4.27
Moda Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$13.80
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$27.54
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.94
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$20.89
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$3.89
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.50
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$38.90

Where Alaska sits

The same service costs 11.7 times more in Maryland than in Wyoming. 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.

Alaska· 14th of 51

$10.96

MD $50.12WY $4.27

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.