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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

New York 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.

Facilitymedian $11 · 10th–90th $5$220%20%10th90th$11Professionalmedian $4 · 10th–90th $3$120%20%10th90th$4$2.0$10.0$50.0$200.0$1.0K$5.0K$20.0K

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Facility and professional rates are different services and are charted separately. Need provider-level prices? Contact us.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$21.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.98
Median
$4.57
Typical High
$9.33
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$14.13
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.63
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$13.18
CDPHP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
CDPHP
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$57.54
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.72
Median
$7.76
Typical High
$36.31
Emblem Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$7.08
Typical High
$14.79
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.51
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$10.47
Excellus BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
Excellus BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.68
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$8.13
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$13.49
Typical High
$28.18
MVP Health Care
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$6.76
Median
$10.72
Typical High
$257.04
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$12.02
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$8.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$12.30
Univera
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$12.88
Univera
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.57
Median
$5.62
Typical High
$17.38