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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Mississippi 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?

$6.03

Typical negotiated rate. In Mississippi, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.03 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.47 from a physician practice, and about $7.08 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4.47$2.57 to $6.03
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$7.08$7.08 to $7.08

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7 · 10th to 90th $4 to $8Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $2 to $8
$2$5$10facility $7professional $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
$7.76
Typical High
$10.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$7.76
Typical High
$8.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.70
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$4.37
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.68
Median
$1.55
Typical High
$1.74
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.82
Median
$2.00
Typical High
$2.14
BCBS Mississippi
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$7.08
BCBS Mississippi
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$6.03
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.75
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$8.32
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$4.17
Typical High
$7.94
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$5.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$2.88
Typical High
$8.71

Where Mississippi 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.

Mississippi· 14th of 51

$6.03

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.