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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

New Hampshire 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?

$6.17

Typical negotiated rate. In New Hampshire, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.17 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.72 from a physician practice, and about $17.38 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$3.72$3.24 to $8.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$17.38$10.23 to $22.39

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $17 · 10th to 90th $7 to $31Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $15
$2$5$10$20$50facility $17professional $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
$6.17
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$12.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$23.99
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.33
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$28.84
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$12.59
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.00
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$37.15
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$21.88
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$19.95
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$7.94
Well Sense
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$5.62

Where New Hampshire 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.

New Hampshire· 21st of 51

$6.17

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.