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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Iowa 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 $14 · 10th–90th $5$780%5%10%10th90th$14Professionalmedian $7 · 10th–90th $4$350%10%10th90th$7$2.0$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
$5.37
Median
$14.79
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$35.48
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.46
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$12.88
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$52.48
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$14.45
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.04
Median
$6.03
Typical High
$13.18
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$7.08
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$6.61
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$38.90
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$12.30
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.00
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$10.96
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37