go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Arizona 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?

$5.62

Typical negotiated rate. In Arizona, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.62 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $15.85 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$4.27$3.31 to $5.62
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$15.85$7.76 to $45.71

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $16 · 10th to 90th $4 to $78Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $28
$2$10$50$200facility $16professional $4

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
$6.17
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$77.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$28.18
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.75
Typical High
$4.27
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$8.91
Typical High
$17.38
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$17.38
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$13.80
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$6.76
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$4.07
Typical High
$100.00
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$3.89
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$6.03

Where Arizona 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.

Arizona· 39th of 51

$5.62

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.