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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

South Dakota 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?

$6.17

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.17 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.17 from a physician practice, and about $8.51 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$6.17$3.80 to $10.96
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8.51$6.17 to $10.23

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $9 · 10th to 90th $5 to $50Professionalmedian $6 · 10th to 90th $4 to $13
$5$10$20$50$100facility $9professional $6

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.17
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$5.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$10.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.17
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$12.88
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$50.12
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$6.46
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.91
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$14.79
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$6.46
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37

Where South Dakota 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.

South Dakota· 19th of 51

$6.17

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.