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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

South 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 July 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$26.92

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $26.92 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.46 from a physician practice, and about $37.15 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 7 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$6.46$3.98 to $31.62
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$37.15$32.36 to $61.66

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $37 · 10th to 90th $15 to $81Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $3 to $47
$5$10$20$50$100facility $37professional $6

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
$30.20
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$46.77
Avera
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$6.46
Avera
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.72
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$4.47
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$8.32
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$10.23
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$63.10
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$6.03
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$11.75
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.03
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.27

Where South Dakota 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.

South Dakota· 4th of 51

$26.92

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.