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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Colorado 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?

$4.47

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.47 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.02 from a physician practice, and about $12.30 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$3.02$2.57 to $4.27
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$12.30$7.41 to $14.79

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $12 · 10th to 90th $3 to $19Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $7
$2$5$10$20facility $12professional $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
$3.24
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$15.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$6.46
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$19.50
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$8.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.51
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$13.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.19
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$6.17
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$8.51
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$16.60
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$8.91
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$4.27
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$3.16
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
$1.58
Median
$1.62
Typical High
$2.14
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.65
Median
$0.65
Typical High
$0.85

Where Colorado 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.

Colorado· 27th of 51

$4.47

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.