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Gram Stain Microscopic Exam

West 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 October 2026.

How much does Gram Stain Microscopic Exam cost?

$4.27

Typical negotiated rate. In West Virginia, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.27 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.39 from a physician practice, and about $18.20 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.39$2.40 to $7.08
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$18.20$3.89 to $29.51

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $18 · 10th to 90th $4 to $50Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $9
$2$5$10$20$50facility $18professional $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
$3.47
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$7.94
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$5.01
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$5.75
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$12.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$30.20
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$58.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$2.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$2.57
Typical High
$9.33
1 more rate 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
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
90 · Outside lab
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$3.24

Where West Virginia 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.

West Virginia· 35th of 51

$4.27

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.