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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Massachusetts 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$630%10%10th90th$14Professionalmedian $5 · 10th–90th $5$170%50%10th90th$5$2.0$10.0$50.0$200.0$1.0K$5.0K$20.0K

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
$16.60
Typical High
$64.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$23.99
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$100.00
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$13.18
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$20.42
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$6.92
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$8.51
Typical High
$13.80
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$14.45
Fallon Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$7,079.46
Fallon Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.94
Median
$7.94
Typical High
$9.33
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$16.22
Health New England
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.31
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$58.88
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$100.00
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$13.18
Tufts
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$8.71
Tufts
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$8.71
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$8.71
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$13.80