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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Indiana 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?

$5.89

Typical negotiated rate. In Indiana, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.89 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.47 from a physician practice, and about $16.60 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$3.47$3.24 to $4.07
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$16.60$5.89 to $69.18

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $17 · 10th to 90th $4 to $98Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $5
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $17professional $3

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
$4.68
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$5.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.51
Median
$2.88
Typical High
$4.27
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$12.88
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.04
Median
$2.09
Typical High
$4.27
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.90
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$9.55
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$4.79

Where Indiana 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.

Indiana· 37th of 51

$5.89

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.