go back

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 July 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$12.88

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12.88 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.68 from a physician practice, and about $44.67 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4.68$3.39 to $6.46
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$44.67$12.88 to $67.61

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $45 · 10th to 90th $4 to $79Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $3 to $12
$0.1$1$10$100$1Kfacility $45professional $5

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$12.30
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.62
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$21.88
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$18.20
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$3.89
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.19
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$6.76
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$11.75
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$8.32
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.75
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,630.78
Median
$3,630.78
Typical High
$3,630.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$7.41
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$6.03
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$100.00

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 11.7 times more in Maryland than in Wyoming. 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· 10th of 51

$12.88

MD $50.12WY $4.27

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.