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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

New Mexico 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?

$6.31

Typical negotiated rate. In New Mexico, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.31 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.90 from a physician practice, and about $20.89 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$4.90$3.24 to $7.41
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$20.89$9.33 to $39.81

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $21 · 10th to 90th $5 to $50Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $2 to $11
$5$10$20$50facility $21professional $5

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
$4.07
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$17.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$7.41
BCBS New Mexico
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$53.70
BCBS New Mexico
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$5.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$3.47
Typical High
$3.47
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$13.18
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$6.76
Typical High
$10.47
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$9.55
Typical High
$13.18
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$4.79
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.16
Typical High
$3.31

Where New Mexico 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 Mexico· 15th of 51

$6.31

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.