go back

Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

Vermont 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?

$4.68

Typical negotiated rate. In Vermont, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.68 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.68 from a physician practice, and about $54.95 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 5 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$4.68$4.27 to $5.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$54.95$54.95 to $72.44

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $55 · 10th to 90th $7 to $79Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $3 to $7
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $55professional $5

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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$95.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$7.41
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$77.62
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$60.26
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$7.59
MVP Health Care
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.27
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$3.47
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.48
Median
$1.48
Typical High
$1.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$11.48

Where Vermont 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.

Vermont· 48th of 51

$4.68

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.