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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Pennsylvania 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 $17 · 10th–90th $6$510%10%20%10th90th$17Professionalmedian $5 · 10th–90th $4$340%50%10th90th$5$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
$6.61
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$34.67
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$3.24
AmeriHealth
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$8,511.38
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$8,511.38
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$4.17
Typical High
$4.57
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$17.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$6.92
Typical High
$13.18
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.51
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$7.76
Geisinger
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$9.33
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.94
Median
$14.45
Typical High
$30.90
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$4.07
Independence Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$5,011.87
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$54.95
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$29.51
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$229.09
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$39.81
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$6.61
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.98
Typical High
$8.13