go back

Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Vermont 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?

$9.33

Typical negotiated rate. In Vermont, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $9.33 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $6.61 from a physician practice, and about $93.33 from a hospital or other facility.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$6.61$4.37 to $9.33
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$93.33$87.10 to $102

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $93 · 10th to 90th $87 to $102Professionalmedian $7 · 10th to 90th $3 to $10
$5$10$20$50$100facility $93professional $7

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
$87.10
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$102.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.33
Median
$9.33
Typical High
$9.33
BCBS Vermont
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$112.20
BCBS Vermont
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$6.61
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.91
Median
$8.91
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.80
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$9.33
MVP Health Care
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$5.37
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4.37
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$4.37
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$12.02

Where Vermont 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.

Vermont· 6th of 51

$9.33

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.