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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

North Carolina 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?

$4.27

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.27 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $6.46 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4.27$3.63 to $5.37
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$6.46$4.27 to $12.02

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $6 · 10th to 90th $4 to $23Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $8
$5$10$20facility $6professional $4

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
$4.27
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$12.59
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$6.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$2.14
Median
$2.14
Typical High
$2.34
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.85
Median
$0.85
Typical High
$0.93
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$7.59
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.48
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$22.91
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.07
Typical High
$4.79
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$24.55
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$8.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$20.42
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$11.22
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$7.76
Typical High
$10.72
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.72
Typical High
$7.41

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 49th of 51

$4.27

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.