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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

South 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?

$6.31

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.31 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.01 from a physician practice, and about $26.30 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$5.01$4.27 to $8.91
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$26.30$10.47 to $41.69

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $26 · 10th to 90th $5 to $56Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $3 to $11
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $26professional $5

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
$3.31
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$8.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$5.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.31
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$7.94
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.72
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$64.57
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$10.96
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$25.70
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.69
Typical High
$5.62
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.47
Typical High
$30.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$15.14
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$5.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$6.03
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.66
Median
$1.66
Typical High
$1.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.68
Median
$0.68
Typical High
$0.68

Where South 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.

South Carolina· 11th of 51

$6.31

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.