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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Rhode Island 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?

$7.08

Typical negotiated rate. In Rhode Island, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $7.08 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.47 from a physician practice, and about $24.55 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 4 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$4.47$3.24 to $4.47
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$24.55$12.88 to $52.48

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $25 · 10th to 90th $5 to $69Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $7
$10$100$1Kfacility $25professional $4

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
$12.88
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$4.47
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$8.71
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$7.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$17.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$8.51
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$8.51

Where Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island· 26th of 51

$7.08

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.