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Special Stain Smear Exam For Germs

Washington 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 $12 · 10th–90th $5$540%10%10th90th$12Professionalmedian $6 · 10th–90th $4$350%10%20%10th90th$6$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
$5.37
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$35.48
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$3.31
Typical High
$3.72
Asuris Northwest Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$6.76
Typical High
$14.79
Asuris Northwest Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.50
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.62
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$19.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.24
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$8.71
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$64.57
Pacific Source
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$10.72
Pacific Source
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.37
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$9.33
Typical High
$14.79
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.79
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$6.46
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.37
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$14.45
Regence BlueShield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$5.37
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$6.46
Typical High
$6.46
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$3.09
Typical High
$6.46
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.45
Median
$2.82
Typical High
$9.77