go back

Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

South Carolina 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 $100 · 10th–90th $7$2400%10%10th90th$100Professionalmedian $4 · 10th–90th $4$150%20%40%10th90th$4$2.0$5.0$10.0$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0

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
$6.76
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$15.49
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$114.82
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$14.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$97.72
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.82
Median
$3.55
Typical High
$7.76
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$15.49
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.95
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$7.59