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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

North Dakota 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?

$8.13

Typical negotiated rate. In North Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $8.13 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $8.13 from a physician practice, and about $5.13 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$8.13$6.17 to $9.33
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$5.13$3.80 to $31.62

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $5 · 10th to 90th $4 to $58Professionalmedian $8 · 10th to 90th $3 to $11
$5$10$20$50$100facility $5professional $8

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.31
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$87.10
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$10.72
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
22 · Increased work
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$12.88
BCBS North Dakota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$1.41
Median
$1.82
Typical High
$2.14
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$9.77
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$31.62
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$9.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$9.33

Where North Dakota 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 Dakota· 9th of 51

$8.13

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.