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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Arkansas 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?

$4.90

Typical negotiated rate. In Arkansas, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.90 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $5.13 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$4.27$2.95 to $6.61
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$5.13$4.90 to $6.61

How much rates vary

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

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
$5.13
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$8.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$6.61
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$8.91
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$6.61
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$7.08
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$2.75
Typical High
$4.27
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$11.22
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$6.17
Qualchoice
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$10.23
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.16
Typical High
$7.08
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.70
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$3.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.68
Median
$1.32
Typical High
$1.32

Where Arkansas 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.

Arkansas· 23rd of 51

$4.90

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.