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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Minnesota 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?

$38.02

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.02 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $43.65 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$4.27$3.80 to $5.89
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$43.65$29.51 to $57.54

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $44 · 10th to 90th $14 to $69Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $9
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $44professional $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
$21.88
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.98
Typical High
$9.33
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$67.61
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$4.27
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$39.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$8.32
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$13.49
Typical High
$31.62
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$8.32
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$63.10
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$29.51
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$10.00
4 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.00
Median
$2.00
Typical High
$2.00
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.79
Median
$0.79
Typical High
$0.79
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.00
Median
$2.00
Typical High
$2.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.79
Median
$0.79
Typical High
$1.02

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 2nd of 51

$38.02

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.