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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

North Carolina 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?

$3.39

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3.39 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.39 from a physician practice, and about $4.47 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.39$2.88 to $4.27
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$4.47$3.39 to $8.91

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $14Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10facility $4professional $3

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
$3.39
Median
$4.07
Typical High
$10.00
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$5.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.70
Median
$1.70
Typical High
$1.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.68
Median
$0.68
Typical High
$0.74
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$2.14
Typical High
$17.78
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$13.49
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$3.80
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.19
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$6.92
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$11.75
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$8.91
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$7.94
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$3.39
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$5.75

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 49th of 51

$3.39

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.