go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Iowa 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?

$10.23

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $10.23 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.62 from a physician practice, and about $38.90 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 8 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$5.62$4.27 to $26.30
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$38.90$9.55 to $70.79

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $39 · 10th to 90th $5 to $1,380Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $3 to $28
$1$10$100$1K$10Kfacility $39professional $6

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
$5.01
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$28.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$10.23
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$26.92
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$35.48
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$10.96
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$52.48
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.25
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$17,782.79
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$9.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$10.72
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.27

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 16th of 51

$10.23

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.