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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 July 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$11.48

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $11.48 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.63 from a physician practice, and about $47.86 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 7 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$3.63$3.24 to $4.07
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$47.86$10.23 to $100

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $48 · 10th to 90th $4 to $195Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $5
$2$5$10$20$50$100$200facility $48professional $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
$4.27
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$5.01
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$21.38
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$4.07
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$10.96
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.19
Median
$2.82
Typical High
$5.13
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$8.91
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$60.26
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$8.91
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$4.27
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$3.98

Where Colorado 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.

Colorado· 12th of 51

$11.48

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.