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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Oklahoma 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?

$5.13

Typical negotiated rate. In Oklahoma, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $5.13 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $3.24 from a physician practice, and about $10.72 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$3.24$2.51 to $5.13
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$10.72$6.46 to $25.70

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $11 · 10th to 90th $4 to $36Professionalmedian $3 · 10th to 90th $2 to $6
$5$10$20$50$100facility $11professional $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
$3.98
Median
$5.01
Typical High
$10.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.88
Median
$3.98
Typical High
$4.90
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$3.31
BCBS Oklahoma
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$36.31
BCBS Oklahoma
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.50
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.72
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$14.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$2.45
Typical High
$6.31
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.47
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$100.00
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.09
Typical High
$7.08
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1.95
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$18.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$2.95
Typical High
$4.57

Where Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma· 36th of 51

$5.13

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.