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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Delaware 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?

$4.27

Typical negotiated rate. In Delaware, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.27 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.89 from a physician practice, and about $8.13 from a hospital or other facility.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.89$3.02 to $5.37
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8.13$3.55 to $11.48

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $8 · 10th to 90th $4 to $46Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10$20$50facility $8professional $4

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$9.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$6.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$2.75
Typical High
$8.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$30.20
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$46.77
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$3.24
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$6.03

Where Delaware 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.

Delaware· 32nd of 51

$4.27

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.