go back

Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Arkansas 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?

$6.17

Typical negotiated rate. In Arkansas, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.17 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.25 from a physician practice, and about $6.17 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$5.25$3.72 to $8.32
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$6.17$6.17 to $8.32

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6 · 10th to 90th $6 to $8Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $3 to $9
$5$10facility $6professional $5

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
$8.32
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$10.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$8.32
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$4.17
Typical High
$4.17
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.85
Median
$1.70
Typical High
$1.70
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$8.91
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$8.32
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$8.91
Typical High
$8.91
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$5.37
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$14.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$7.76
Qualchoice
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$10.23
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$18.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.17
Typical High
$8.91

Where Arkansas 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.

Arkansas· 20th of 51

$6.17

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.