go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Connecticut 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?

$4.57

Typical negotiated rate. In Connecticut, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.57 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.89 from a physician practice, and about $9.77 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$3.89$3.72 to $4.27
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$9.77$6.92 to $17.78

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $10 · 10th to 90th $5 to $41Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $5
$2$10$50$200facility $10professional $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
$5.62
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$4.68
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.68
Median
$6.76
Typical High
$11.48
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$6.61
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$16.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$6.46
ConnectiCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.00
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$6.17
Health New England
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$36.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$3.98
Typical High
$7.41

Where Connecticut 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.

Connecticut· 50th of 51

$4.57

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.