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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 July 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$5.01

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.01 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.80 from a physician practice, and about $22.91 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$3.80$3.24 to $4.68
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$22.91$9.77 to $61.66

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $23 · 10th to 90th $4 to $95Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $2 to $7
$1.0$10.0$100.0$1.0Kfacility $23professional $4

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
$4.17
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$8.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.14
Typical High
$5.37
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.47
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$2.09
Typical High
$5.89
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$6.03
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$7.08
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$9.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$6.03

Where Kentucky sits

The same service costs 11.7 times more in Maryland than in Wyoming. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Kentucky $5.01 · 44th of 51
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.