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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Utah 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 Utah, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $6.17 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.79 from a physician practice, and about $6.76 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$4.79$3.24 to $6.76
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$6.76$6.46 to $36.31

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $7 · 10th to 90th $6 to $48Professionalmedian $5 · 10th to 90th $3 to $7
$5$10$20$50facility $7professional $5

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
$6.76
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$23.99
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$1.35
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$9.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$6.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$1.78
Median
$3.16
Typical High
$3.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$0.72
Median
$1.26
Typical High
$1.35
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.68
Median
$5.89
Typical High
$15.49
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$3.63
Typical High
$7.76
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$7.24
Typical High
$9.33
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$23.99
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.63
Median
$4.57
Typical High
$5.01
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$3.80
Typical High
$3.80
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$7.08
U of Utah Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$15.14
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$18.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.16
Typical High
$3.24

Where Utah 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.

Utah· 22nd 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.