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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Mississippi 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?

$9.55

Typical negotiated rate. In Mississippi, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9.55 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $5.75 from a physician practice, and about $11.75 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$5.75$3.63 to $9.55
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$11.75$9.77 to $11.75

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $12 · 10th to 90th $5 to $12Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $3 to $10
$5$10facility $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
$5.75
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$13.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$10.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.85
Median
$1.95
Typical High
$2.19
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$2.69
Typical High
$2.69
BCBS Mississippi
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$11.75
BCBS Mississippi
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$9.55
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$10.72
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$10.47
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$10.96

Where Mississippi 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.

Mississippi· 4th of 51

$9.55

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.