go back

Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Louisiana 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?

$5.75

Typical negotiated rate. In Louisiana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.75 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.13 from a physician practice, and about $7.08 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$5.13$3.16 to $6.46
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$7.08$5.37 to $12.88

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7 · 10th to 90th $5 to $20Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $2 to $8
$2$5$10$20facility $7professional $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
$5.75
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$27.54
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$13.80
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$1.12
Median
$1.48
Typical High
$5.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$7.08
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$3.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$1.12
Median
$1.29
Typical High
$1.41
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$20.42
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$5.89
Typical High
$8.13
Christus
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$33.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.57
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$6.17
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.37
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.16
Typical High
$10.96

Where Louisiana 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.

Louisiana· 24th of 51

$5.75

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.