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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Idaho 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?

$9.12

Typical negotiated rate. In Idaho, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9.12 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.46 from a physician practice, and about $12.02 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$6.46$5.13 to $10.23
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$12.02$8.13 to $19.95

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $12 · 10th to 90th $5 to $31Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $3 to $10
$5$10$20$50facility $12professional $6

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
$6.46
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$12.59
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$10.47
BCBS Idaho
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$31.62
BCBS Idaho
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$7.94
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$11.22
Typical High
$20.89
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$7.76
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$58.88
Moda Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$10.47
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$10.23
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.91
Typical High
$10.23
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$19.50
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$4.57
Typical High
$4.57
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$24.55
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$7.59
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$11.75

Where Idaho 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.

Idaho· 7th of 51

$9.12

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.