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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Nebraska 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?

$17.78

Typical negotiated rate. In Nebraska, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $17.78 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $8.13 from a physician practice, and about $33.88 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$8.13$3.47 to $14.45
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$33.88$17.38 to $52.48

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $34 · 10th to 90th $6 to $76Professionalmedian $8 · 10th to 90th $3 to $28
$10$100$1Kfacility $34professional $8

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
$9.55
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$72.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$28.18
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.31
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$7.41
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$57.54
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$7.08
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$33.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$10.23
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$77.62
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$7.94
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$8.71
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.25
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,467.37
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$4,073.80
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$4.27
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$8.51

Where Nebraska 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.

Nebraska· 6th of 51

$17.78

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.