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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Montana 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?

$6.17

Typical negotiated rate. In Montana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.17 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.75 from a physician practice, and about $7.41 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$5.75$3.80 to $6.17
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$7.41$6.17 to $10.00

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7 · 10th to 90th $6 to $54Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $2 to $8
$2$5$10$20$50facility $7professional $6

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
$13.49
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$11.22
BCBS Montana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$14.79
BCBS Montana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$5.75
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$12.59
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$6.17
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$10.00
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$7.94
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$12.59
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.17
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$1.78
Typical High
$4.27

Where Montana 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.

Montana· 12th of 51

$6.17

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.