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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Tennessee 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?

$3.63

Typical negotiated rate. In Tennessee, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $3.63 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.39 from a physician practice, and about $8.13 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$3.39$2.57 to $5.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8.13$3.55 to $9.77

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $8 · 10th to 90th $3 to $15Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$2$5$10$20facility $8professional $3

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
$3.24
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$6.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$6.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.58
Median
$1.70
Typical High
$2.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.65
Median
$0.68
Typical High
$1.02
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$11.22
BCBS Tennessee
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.75
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$16.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$2.82
Typical High
$6.17
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$9.55
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.38
Median
$1.38
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$5.37

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 42nd of 51

$3.63

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.