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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 October 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$5.13

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.13 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $7.94 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$4.27$3.31 to $8.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$7.94$5.50 to $12.59

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $8 · 10th to 90th $4 to $22Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $11
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $8professional $4

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
$3.31
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$11.22
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$6.61
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$9.33
Typical High
$13.49
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$23.44
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$35.48
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$11.22
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$52.48
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.25
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$10.96
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$6.03
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.27

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 18th of 51

$5.13

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.