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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 October 2026.

How much does Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs cost?

$5.37

Typical negotiated rate. In Nebraska, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.37 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.24 from a physician practice, and about $26.92 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$3.24$3.24 to $5.37
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$26.92$7.94 to $41.69

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $27 · 10th to 90th $4 to $78Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $3 to $11
$2$5$10$20$50$100facility $27professional $3

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
$3.55
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$12.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$4.90
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.69
Median
$2.69
Typical High
$2.69
BCBS Nebraska
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$43.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$12.88
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.55
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$100.00
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$21.38
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$9.77
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$6.61
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$2.24
Typical High
$3.24
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$10.72

Where Nebraska 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.

Nebraska· 29th of 51

$5.37

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.