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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Alaska 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 October 2026.

How much does Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs cost?

$12.02

Typical negotiated rate. In Alaska, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12.02 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $12.02 from a physician practice, and about $25.70 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$12.02$6.31 to $14.79
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$25.70$18.20 to $63.10

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $26 · 10th to 90th $5 to $129Professionalmedian $12 · 10th to 90th $5 to $21
$5$10$20$50$100$200facility $26professional $12

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$66.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.31
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$41.69
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$14.79
Typical High
$14.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$7.76
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$141.25
Moda Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$21.38
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$34.67
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$12.02
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$14.79
Typical High
$26.30
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$6.92
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$10.72
Typical High
$70.79

Where Alaska sits

The same service costs 4.2 times more in Kansas than in Maryland. 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.

Alaska· 2nd of 51

$12.02

KS $16.98MD $4.07

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.