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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Kentucky 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?

$3.63

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3.63 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.63 from a physician practice, and about $4.27 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.63$2.51 to $5.01
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$4.27$3.63 to $6.03

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $8Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10$20facility $4professional $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
$3.47
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$6.46
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$5.62
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.47
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$5.89
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$6.03
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$7.08
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$9.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$6.03
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.74
Median
$1.82
Typical High
$2.45
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.69
Median
$0.72
Typical High
$0.98

Where Kentucky 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.

Kentucky· 44th of 51

$3.63

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.