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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 87206

A sample from the body is spread on a slide and treated with a special fluorescent or acid-fast stain, then examined under a microscope to look for certain bacteria, fungi, or parasites that are hard to see with routine staining, including the type of bacteria that causes tuberculosis. A specialist reports back on what, if anything, is seen. It gives a fast, same-day clue about a possible infection while slower culture results are still pending.

Rates data updated July 2026.

Facilitymedian $17 · 10th–90th $5$980%5%10%10th90th$17Professionalmedian $5 · 10th–90th $3$170%20%10th90th$5$0.1$1.0$10.0$100.0$1.0K$10.0K$100.0K

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Facility and professional rates are different services and are charted separately. Need provider-level prices? Contact us.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$21.38
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$33.11
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$24.55
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$10.96
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$10.72
Typical High
$25.70
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$12.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$8.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$8.51