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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 October 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$3.63

Typical negotiated rate. In Arizona, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3.63 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $2.57 from a physician practice, and about $8.51 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$2.57$2.45 to $3.63
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8.51$4.07 to $13.80

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $9 · 10th to 90th $3 to $19Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $9professional $3

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
$2.82
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$2.88
Typical High
$5.89
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$4.27
BCBS Arizona
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$16.60
BCBS Arizona
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$5.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$12.02
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.76
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.16
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$100.00
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$3.39
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$1.38
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$5.89
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
$1.45
Median
$1.45
Typical High
$1.45
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.56
Median
$0.56
Typical High
$0.56

Where Arizona 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.

Arizona· 43rd of 51

$3.63

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.