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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Louisiana 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?

$4.57

Typical negotiated rate. In Louisiana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.57 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.72 from a physician practice, and about $5.50 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$3.72$2.51 to $5.01
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$5.50$4.47 to $9.55

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $5 · 10th to 90th $4 to $15Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10$20facility $5professional $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
$4.57
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$19.95
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.29
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$10.96
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.91
Median
$1.17
Typical High
$4.37
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.29
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$2.75
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.91
Median
$1.02
Typical High
$1.12
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.45
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$4.27
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$8.71
Typical High
$16.22
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$6.46
Christus
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$4.47
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$25.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$2.82
Typical High
$5.01
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$4.27
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$6.31

Where Louisiana 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.

Louisiana· 26th of 51

$4.57

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.