go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Virginia 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?

$9.77

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9.77 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.39 from a physician practice, and about $32.36 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$3.39$3.24 to $4.27
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$32.36$8.13 to $53.70

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $32 · 10th to 90th $4 to $79Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $10
$10$100$1K$10Kfacility $32professional $3

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
$6.31
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$10.00
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$16.98
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$2.09
Typical High
$3.24
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$30.20
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.29
Median
$3.02
Typical High
$7.24
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$6.31
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$8.32
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$6.76
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$4.57
Typical High
$8.91
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$10,000.00
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$10,000.00
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$7.41
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$4.47

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 18th of 51

$9.77

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.