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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Maryland 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 $56 · 10th–90th $8$680%20%10th90th$56Professionalmedian $5 · 10th–90th $3$340%10%20%10th90th$5$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
$32.36
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$34.67
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1.91
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$6.92
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.02
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$12.88
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$10.47
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$18.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$5.13
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.09
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$8.13