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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Nebraska 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.

How much does Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs cost?

$22.39

Typical negotiated rate. In Nebraska, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $22.39 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $8.51 from a physician practice, and about $22.91 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$8.51$3.55 to $34.67
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$22.91$14.13 to $44.67

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $23 · 10th to 90th $7 to $72Professionalmedian $9 · 10th to 90th $3 to $35
$2.0$5.0$10.0$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0facility $23professional $9

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$72.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$35.48
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$70.79
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$8.91
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$43.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$12.88
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$107.15
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$10.00
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$11.22
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$6.61
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$141.25
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.37
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$10.72

Where Nebraska sits

The same service costs 12.0 times more in West Virginia than in Kentucky. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Nebraska $22.39 · 4th of 51
WV $60.26KY $5.01

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.