go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

North Dakota 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?

$7.59

Typical negotiated rate. In North Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7.59 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.46 from a physician practice, and about $31.62 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$6.46$5.01 to $7.59
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$31.62$19.95 to $51.29

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $32 · 10th to 90th $3 to $66Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $3 to $9
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $32professional $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
$3.02
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$77.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$11.22
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$44.67
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$8.51
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
22 · Increased work
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$8.71
Typical High
$10.23
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$1.12
Median
$1.45
Typical High
$1.70
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$7.76
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$43.65
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$7.41
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$7.41

Where North Dakota 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 Dakota· 7th of 51

$7.59

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.