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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 October 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$14.45

Typical negotiated rate. In Alaska, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $14.45 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $9.55 from a physician practice, and about $51.29 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$9.55$5.62 to $12.88
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$51.29$16.98 to $87.10

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $51 · 10th to 90th $11 to $105Professionalmedian $10 · 10th to 90th $4 to $18
$5$10$20$50$100$200facility $51professional $10

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
$14.45
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$50.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$14.45
Typical High
$33.11
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$11.75
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$6.17
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$114.82
Moda Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$17.78
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$27.54
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$9.55
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$20.89
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.50
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$38.90

Where Alaska sits

The same service costs 24.0 times more in Vermont than in Georgia. 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· 3rd of 51

$14.45

VT $75.86GA $3.16

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.