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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Washington, DC 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 $37 · 10th–90th $4$760%10%20%10th90th$37Professionalmedian $4 · 10th–90th $4$190%50%90th$4$5.0$10.0$20.0$50.0$100.0

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
$4.07
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$75.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.07
Typical High
$4.07
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$60.26
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$8.71
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$19.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$42.66
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$10.96
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.16
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.39
Typical High
$9.12